One of the main arguments brought forth for the switching to the WebExtensions system for browser extensions was that it made cross-browser extensions easier. Firefox users may now reap the benefits of this promise, as Mozilla has implemented functionality in the browser to import extensions from other browsers.
The feature, which is in testing at the moment, can be enabled by all users of the latest stable version of Firefox.
The feature is limited at the time to Google Chrome and select extensions. Even though Firefox and Chrome extensions use the same framework, WebExtensions, they are not compatible immediately. Firefox users who attempt to install extensions from Chrome’s Web Store may notice that this is not working.
Very misleading title. You cannot actually install Chrome extensions which is what I assumed after reading the title.
What this does is that when migrating from Chrome, you can automatically install supported extensions that are also in the Mozilla addons store.
that is a better feature to be honest
IIRC there’s a standard being worked on that would allow actual crosscompatibility, so give or take 5 more years
There is already a standard on how websites should work and still some claim they can’t run on linux or Firefox
That would be nice. I tried porting one extension unofficially but I ran into CORS issues.
WebExtensions was supposed to be that standard from the beginning, but failed miserably due to bad design
Honestly, I’d feel rather concerned about this and its implications for privacy
The extensions are JavaScript - you can check the code yourself.
Ok??? But that doesn’t prevent this from Google exerting further influence over what happens with addons in Firefox.
Two words: Manifest v3
Google’s been in the business of destroying its competitors since 2001. It’s pretty naive not to foresee some huge problems here.
Eh? Firefox supports Manifest V3 as well. I don’t find anything naive about it. Firefox supporting Chrome extensions can only help Firefox.
Obviously I hope you’re right, but I just don’t see Google’s involvement as a net positive. At one time, we believed Google was contributing to projects that they subsequently destroyed. I assure you that Google would find any way to leverage this to harm Firefox.
Meanwhile, I don’t see how it would benefit Firefox. What benefits Firefox is when people develop addons for Firefox exclusively.
Nope, what benefits Firefox is when something is working on Firefox.
As an example, I use Revolut and most importantly the one-time virtual cards by Revolut. They have a nice Chrome addon that lets you fill the card details. Otherwise I have to get my phone, open the app, authorize with PIN, check the card details, authorize with PIN again, rewrite the card details and check that I didn’t make a mistake. If the Chrome addon worked in Firefox, it would make my life significantly easier. Sure, the ideal scenario is Revolut supporting Firefox themselves but for whatever reasons they don’t want to.
So we agree, yet you still lead with
You gotta stop this framing your agreement as a disagreement, my friend. You’re triggering flashbacks to r*ddit lol