🎶 On this ninth day of Christmas, StrefaTECH explores … Nine Chrome Extensions 🎶
In a broader spirit than “just AI,” I’d like to take advantage of this opportunity to share some of the apps that I use. Some may truly be the best in their areas, others may simply be what I ran across at the right time. Tell me about your favorites in the comments!
Extensions I regularly use…
1. Screen recording - Screencastify and Loom
While recording a narrated demo may seem like something reserved for software vendors and podcasters, I’ve found it to be an easy way to show somebody something helpful in a much more informal, personal way. Both Screencastify and Loom have free versions that are quick to learn and cover the basics: optionally record you speaking and/or on video, capture what’s on your screen, highlight mouse clicks, and store the video somewhere easy to share with others.
2. Google Translate
In my international travels and communications with non-native English speakers, I’ve relied on Google Translate on my phone, computer, and now browser. It’s not perfect, but is pretty darned good and getting better. And like most Google apps, its free version has a lot of capabilities baked in. I used the browser when I was in Europe to translate emails and web pages, mostly because the extension was handy and familiar. Sometimes ease of use really does trump robustness!
3. Grammarly
There are lots of writing assistants and aids that have been using AI for quite a while; many have added generative AI this year to provide ready rewriting. I use the free version of Grammarly, which is the most oft-cited app. More to come on writing aids down the road… but meanwhile, this is a quick and easy Chrome extension that I rely on to an embarrassing degree!
4. LastPass
LastPass and 1password are frequently pointed to as the leading password managers; I started with LastPass many years ago and just never changed. As with many of these tools, I’m unsure if it’s “the best,” but it’s the one I rely on, in this case, both on my computer and phone.
And please take this as a reminder to shore up your habits when it comes to security access to your important accounts, particularly those involving finances!
5. Recast
I’ve mentioned Recast a couple of times in StrefaTECH articles, so will forego a description of how it works simply to share that I use it daily, seven days a week, and continue to be delighted by it. My intake of information about what’s happening in the world is now curated largely by Recast and my quick daily choice of what to listen to.
6. Perplexity AI Companion
Perplexity AI is billed to be a combination internet search and AI chatbot tool. It can be stacked up against ChatGPT, Bing, Bard, Claude, etc. I use the Chrome Extension for convenience; there are times when I just want to ask something quick and find it that asking Perplexity in its extension popup is more handy than opening a new browser tab/window. I expect that its capabilities will improve dramatically in months to come, as will my grasp of what it can do to become a greater part of my routine.
Extensions I’ve downloaded and plan to try out in the new year…
7. Notion Web Clipper
I recently moved my use of a general-purpose notetaking tool from Evernote (which had become very slow for me, as well as hanging a bit too often) to Notion. So far, I’m delighted with Notion on both my phone and computer. I haven’t yet done much with the web clipper, but I will soon. Tell me if you have tips!
8. Tab Groups
This is the one extension that I’ve installed but haven’t gotten in the habit of using … yet! It allows the quick creation of groups of tabs you might often want to access together. I need to give this a try!
9. Compose.ai
I’ve run across quite a few recommendations for this as a complement or alternative to Grammarly. I haven’t tried it out yet, so please share if you have experiences good, bad, ugly, or (in)different!
Conclusion
Today, I hope to share a tidbit you might find interesting and inspire a few of you to give me some useful nudges in reply!
As you’re considering installing new pieces of software, though, please do be sure to…
Make Good Choices