If you like just a little distraction when you start up your browser, if you find Twitter and news sites too in-your-face, but a blank page too mundane, try Wikipedia. Yeah that's right, we just linked to Wikipedia, like it's some obscure site we found. Because if you only end up there through Google results, you might have never noticed their elegant, calming home page.
Chrome: Sometimes, you just need a new tab page that's as simple as possible. Humble New Tab Page is a simple, list-based new tab page that lives up to its name.
Chrome: There are a few excellent start page alternatives to the now-defunct iGoogle, but if you want something that mimics the look of the original, then iChrome is probably the closest option. Of course, you need to be running Google Chrome, and it's not as customisable as iGoogle, but it has a few neat functions.
If you tend to launch the same set of browser tabs all the time when you first sit down at your computer, it's nice to be able to do that in one click. Launchbot is a start page that lets you create your own "sets" that offer one-click launching of as many sites as you'd like.
Chrome: Say what you want about the new design in iOS 7, there's no denying that the iPhone's home screen is incredibly easy to browse and use. If you want a similar experience in Chrome, iOS 7 New Tab Page is a surprisingly accurate and useful implementation.
Google is finally shutting down the super-customisable iGoogle start page on November 1, but that doesn't mean you're stuck without your daily dose of news and other widgets. Here are five great alternatives to iGoogle that you can use as your new do-anything start page.
Chrome: You have all sorts of ways to customise your new tab page in Chrome. But if you're looking for something with a lot of customisation options and a fast load time, Fruumo is worth a look.
Firefox includes a couple of options for your new tab page. You can go with a grid of your most commonly visited sites, use the Firefox Start Page that has a Google search bar and quick links to your history, add-ons or downloads, or stick with the classic "about:blank". If you don't like those options, or you want something a bit more flexible, you do have options that add more features to every new tab. Let's look at some of them.
Chrome: If you like the look of Windows 8's Start Screen, but you're not keen on using it in Windows, New Metrotab for Chrome lets you use it for your new tab page. You get tiles for bookmarks, favourite sites, email and more. If you're looking to spruce up "about:blank" with something more useful, this will do the trick.
Chrome: If Chrome's built-in new tab page looks a little plain to you, or if you like the look of Microsoft's Metro UI, MySites is a Chrome extension that changes the new tab page into a start page decorated with a search bar and tiles that take you straight to your favourite sites.
The new tab page built into Chrome (and soon, Firefox) is a nice touch, but it isn't incredibly customisable, nor is it particularly beautiful. If you're looking for something a little beyond what your browser's default start page has to offer, here are our favourite extensions and services that add a bit of extra functionality and pizzazz to your new tabs.
Chrome: Bookolio customises the new tab page to make it more useful. The extension gives you instant access to all your bookmarks and the sites you visit the most, as well as quick switching between different types of search engines.
Chrome: Like the name suggests, the Awesome New Tab Page extension adds a new New Tab page to Google Chrome. The result is a Windows 8 Metro UI-inspired new tab page that's fully customisable with apps, widgets, bookmarks and so on.
If your browser's default start page is feeling a little ugly and boring, DeviantART user flatmo1 has created a great-looking start page inspired by Windows 8's tiled interface, ready to get you to your favourite sites with just a click.
While custom new tab pages like previously mentioned Myfav.es are great, some of you may prefer Chrome's default for its easy access to Chrome-only web apps. Here's how to add your other favourite pages to Chrome's new tab page.
We've certainly looked at our fair share of awesome browser start pages, but if you want to roll your own one deviantART user has created a pretty awesome starting point.
Inspired by Lifehacker's commenters, Kindle start page app Kinstant has updated to version 3, with room to create your own Kindle-ised web bookmarks, smaller-scale versions for DX and second edition users, and news topics you can swap in and out.
Previously mentioned start page Myfave.es (formerly fav4.org) went through a major upgrade this week, bringing many different customisations, new built-in sites and optional user accounts to keep your start page the same across computers.
