New download manager in Chrome Beta 15.0.874.102

[TheOneBobbyGunn]

So I like to stay on top of things, and that mean at least running betas of browsers, if not dev channels, and what do I stumble on in Chrome? A new download manager. It's not on by default, so you won't see it right away, but if you go to ABOUT:FLAGS, and enable "New Downloads UI" you no longer get that annoying download bar at the bottom of Chrome. I know some may like that, but I hate it, so to me this is a welcome find. I also noticed they added "Smooth Scrolling", but again, it's not on by default, so you need to enable it under flags too.

 

[TheOneBobbyGunn]

OK, so after I posted, the beta went stable. Enjoy!

 

[MilesAhead]

I'm using a Chromium snap shot. I just tried the setting. It's cool that you don't get the status bar. And on W7 it shows download progress. It would be cooler if they figured out some way to show download speed on the Taskbar icon during mouse hover. Or a quick way to toggle it if the download is slow so you can check the speed.


When I can I drag the download link onto FDM drop target. I use the native download only if I can't get at a direct link.

 

[MilesAhead]

Speaking of Chromium snap shots, I'm using an Oct. 2 build. Seems like any I try later than that, LastPass login keeps fluctuating. The LastPass button keeps going yellow and twirling. Whereas on this build (103681) and earlier it's rock solid. I posted to LastPass forum but since it's a dev build they will likely just ignore it. But there seems to be a change somewhere along the line that will not totally break LastPass, but make it wicked annoying.

Just thought I'd mention it in case you notice it as you use newer versions.

 

[MilesAhead]

btw I just tried a 29 MB download .. yet another Chromium snap shot .. and it zipped across. Must actually be using multiple connections. I wish there was a speed meter. FDM drop target could really get lonely sitting in the corner of the desktop.

 

[MilesAhead]

The main drawback I see so far is no prompt when downloading an extension. It just puts it in the default download folder as "unconfirmed download". They need to add a button toggle.