"Hoverflow" is a Chrome extension designed to improve your web browsing experience. By simply hovering over a link, you can preview its content without leaving your current tab. It's especially powerful when browsing wikis, documents, and other information-rich websites. 'Hoverflow' loads the mobile versions of the sites for a fast, focused browsing experience. Additionally, for your convenience, the extension is disabled by default, allowing you to choose where you want it enabled. Essentially, 'Hoverflow' is about offering a seamless, intuitive, and efficient browsing tool that enhances your productivity.
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The fastest and easiest way to browse wikis, docs, the web.
Nested: Preview links within links, find information without breaking flow.
Fast: Loads the mobile version of websites for fast and focused browsing.
Secure: Disabled by default, enabled where you want it.
One-click enable on any tab, click again for granular settings.
Works great with Wikipedia! We've automatically enabled it there for you to try out, but feel free turn it off anytime via the popup menu.
User reviews
These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews.
Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate,
spammy, or outdated.
Pros
Great for multi-nested functionality and easy integration with websites.
Provides instant preview windows for some sites, improving navigation.
Useful for exploring sites like Wikipedia and DeviantArt.
User-friendly for browsing and finding information quickly.
Positive feedback on usability and concept from several users.
Cons
Issues with persistent activation after page refresh.
Inconsistent opening locations for the preview frame.
Limited functionality on certain popular sites (e.g., nytimes.com).
Request for more customizable options and shortcuts.
Some users find the pricing for the pro version too high.
Most mentioned
Need for an option to enable on all sites by default.
Persistent activation issues after page reload.
Desire for customizable features and settings.
Inconsistent behavior across different websites.
Positive experiences using it on Wikipedia.
Recent reviews
Great extension and very useful with the multi-nested functionality. What's even better about Hoverflow is that you can add it to your own website with just 1 line of code. I've added it to my product's documentation website and it made it so much better to read & navigate the docs!
The best previewer extension I've ever utilized was CoolIris Preview for Firefox which was discontinued when Firefox changed extension protocols sometime around version 54. Any url Previewer Developer interested in making a superior extension should research CoolIris and mimic its functionality.
With that said, my previous 5 star rating for Hoverflow was a bit premature. I was overly excited that most of the basics seemed to be covered. However, after spending some time with it there are some high priority issues that should be addressed for usability sake.
here's what im seeing:
Version 1.2.5
overall:
- no persistent activation for selected websites domains.
- unable to manually move frame window once opened (want to move it, not resize it)
- obviously the extension should work for any/every url but it doesnt,
- reloading the webpage removes activation for the extension?!?!
- unable to view frame options after 1st install regardless of option activation (no bypass xframe option) example: unable to view options to pin frame or open in tab, etc.
cnet.com
https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/advice/is-this-the-end-of-plastic-visas-new-technology-could-render-physical-cards-obsolete/
- frame doesnt open in consistent location (right, left, above, below) for links in the same vicinity. Best practice is generally to the left or right of the link
- frames opening too close to the hovered link
- some links unable to connect (ex. businesswire.com)
nytimes.com
- frames do not work for entire nytimes.com
- linked nytimes article from front page after selection does not enable persistent activation (nytimes domain)
Washingtonpost.com
- frames work for most of the site, some links unable to connect
Ultimately, it does provide instant preview windows for some sites. Depending on your website choices, your mileage may vary. Im not sure how active this developer is in terms of maintaining/improving on the extension, but it certainly needs work. I have a lot of UX knowledge I could share for free to help improve the project if desired. I forwarded my email to the developer so we'll see what happens.
Hoverflow may not be safe to use and it requires some risky permissions. Exercise caution
when installing this extension. Review carefully before installing.
Risk likelihood
Hoverflow has earned a good reputation and can be trusted.