A major update to Renewed Tab is coming
2 min read (508 words)I’ve started work on Renewed Tab 2.0, a major update and partial rewrite of the extension. This will bring improved performance and many new features, including multiple widget dashboards, syncing between devices, and calendar/todo list integrations. This update will also introduce Renewed Tab Plus.
Note: features may change between now and release.
Improving the foundations
Renewed Tab was written when I was still learning React Native. It shows this, with inconsistent performance and code that is hard to maintain. This update includes a rewrite of the storage code, allowing for improved performance and more capabilities. It also fixes many foundational issues with the UI.
New features
Multiple widget dashboards
Users will be able to create multiple dashboards of widgets. You could create a personal dashboard and a work dashboard. Each dashboard can be individually configured with backgrounds, themes, and other settings.
Syncing between devices
You’ll be able to sync your widgets between devices. Additionally, in a future update, you’ll be able to share dashboards with other users or your organisation, creating shared dashboards for increased productivity.
Calendar integrations
You’ll be able to create a calendar widget and connect it to your Google, Microsoft, or iCloud calendars. You’ll be able to see upcoming events today and in the week. Join video calls quickly from your new tab page.
To-do list integrations
You’ll be able to connect the to-do widget to to-do services including Todoist and more to be confirmed.
…and more
After the 2.0 release, I plan to work on further features including preset themes (including a light mode), improved background and customisation, and new widgets.
Plus membership
This update will introduce Renewed Tab Plus, a paid membership to support development. This will be available as a cheap monthly or annual subscription. Whilst unconfirmed, a lifetime purchase may be available.
A Plus membership will be required for multiple pages, sync, calendar, and to-do integrations. Existing features will remain free. Renewed Tab will never contain sell your data.
Renewed Tab is a side project by a solo developer. I am doing this because I would like to start making commercial side projects and gain additional sources of income. I believe that Renewed Tab has a lot of potential for development here, and many things will be made possible that otherwise will not have happened.
I am considering whether to make Renewed Tab closed source from 2.0. Renewed Tab was created as a passion project and I never intended it to become a collaborative open source project. I made the project open source because I believed it was the right choice for user privacy and trust. With the advent of LLMs scraping open source repos for capitalistic gain, I believe the disadvantages for me outweight the gains.
Conclusion
The update is in development and is expected to be launched early next year.
Do you have any thoughts? Any suggestions? Contact me.