Key Highlights :
Manifest V3 (or Manifest Version 3) is the latest iteration of the Chrome extension platform, and it is set to enhance users’ browsing experience. The Chrome Side Panel API (Application Programming Interface) enables “persistent experiences that complement the user's browsing journey”, and it is now available to Manifest V3 extensions. The Side Panel API allows extensions to display their own UI (user interface) in the side panel, which can be launched by clicking the existing button next to the address bar, selecting it from the drop-down menu, or even by pressing the shortcut key.
Google experiences such as Lens, Journeys, the UI for customising browser appearance, and soon, Reading Mode, will also leverage side panels. The Side Panel API is currently available in Chrome Beta 114. Moreover, Google has announced that it will migrate one per cent of Chrome users to Privacy Sandbox and deprecate third-party cookies for them in Q1 2024. This move will support developers in conducting experiments that assess the readiness and effectiveness of their products without third-party cookies.
Manifest V3 is the latest iteration of the Chrome extension platform and it is set to revolutionise the way users browse the web. With the Side Panel API, extensions can now display their own UI in the side panel, making it easier for users to access the features they need. Furthermore, Google has announced that it will migrate one per cent of Chrome users to Privacy Sandbox and deprecate third-party cookies for them in Q1 2024. This will help developers conduct real-world experiments to assess the readiness and effectiveness of their products without third-party cookies.
Overall, Manifest V3 is a great update to the Chrome extension platform and it will make browsing the web easier and more secure. With the Side Panel API, extensions can now display their own UI in the side panel, making it easier for users to access the features they need. Furthermore, Google’s move to migrate one per cent of Chrome users to Privacy Sandbox and deprecate third-party cookies for them in Q1 2024 will help developers in conducting real-world experiments to assess the readiness and effectiveness of their products without third-party cookies.