Official reminder reaches developers

Apple is quickly approaching the unveiling of the Safari Extensions Gallery, a new developer memo hints. "Submit your Safari extension today," the e-mail reads. "Selected extensions will be featured on the new Safari Extensions Gallery. We’ll soon be launching the Safari Extensions Gallery, a new destination that provides you with an opportunity to increase the visibility of your Safari extension beyond your website."

Developers must submit a download URL and accompanying metadata in order to be listed. Apple has not made clear what it means by "selected extensions," but this may translate into even more selectivity than at the App Store, since part of the emphasis will be on quality. Downloads can, however, be promoted at third-party websites, even if they are still expected to have an Apple digital certificate to prevent tampering by other coders.

Extensions allow people to enhance Safari 5, or other browsers, by adding new buttons and toolbars to a window, and/or new appearances to webpages. Apple has comparatively lagged behind in adding the technology. Extensions first became popular through Mozilla Firefox, and have become even more widespread thanks to Google Chrome.

by MacNN Staff