Chrome is finally getting one of the most useful and powerful synchronization features possible. Chrome can already sync bookmarks and preferences, but until now it's been unable to synchronize browser extensions across multiple computers. Thanks to a new Dev channel update, there's
a hack that enables that final sync ability.
The hack requires using Google's Chrome
Dev channel, which features more frequent but less stable Chrome releases. With the most recent version (6.0.437.1 for Windows and Linux, 6.0.437.2 for Mac) installed, extension synchronization can be used. In Windows, users can add the "
-enable-sync-extensions" flag to the target field under the Shortcut tab in the Chrome shortcut's properties. Mac users can
run a script to automatically enable extension syncing.
Since it's a hack used on a non-stable release of Chrome, it's not a completely fleshed or reliable feature. In fact, Google has
put Dev channel push updates on hold due to reports of browser crashes. Still, its existence in the latest Dev channel release proves that it will eventually become a feature in a stable Chrome release. When it's finally enabled and implemented in a full Chrome release, it will be accessible and stable, without a need for any Mac scripts or Windows shortcut modifications.
