Introduction to widgets

What is a Mobile Widget?

Essentially, Widgets are the new touchpoint for how users will access the internet on their mobiles. They are mini Web applications that reside on the phone but can be personalised to easily fetch relevant information from the web and present it to the user. They require a device to have a Web Run-Time (WRT) environment which enables them to behave like applications (rich GUI, can be used offline) yet are as easy to code and update as a mobile internet browser site. Consequently, widgets can deliver relevant, ‘always on’ services to users – they are typically based on 1-2 use cases, for instance, a simple weather forecast or an Amazon search feature.

Why are widgets important?

Since the end of 2007, handset manufacturers have been launching mobile devices with a widget Web Run-Time capability built in, such as the Nokia N95 8Gb. This is now starting to be more widely featured across high, medium and eventually low tier phones.

At the same time, since widgets leverage Web technologies, it is now arguably quicker and easier for anyone with basic Web skills to develop a widget.

Most importantly, widgets can offer a great user experience to customers without them having to use a browser or even know they are accessing the Web. This is because they can present personalised information in just a few clicks and in a way that is more efficient, as they only need to download the data that needs to be refreshed rather than a complete Web page.

What can I do on the Betavine Widget Zone?

Here you can get started building widgets, with access to information and Software Development Toolkits. Furthermore, we’ve been working with our colleagues at Vodafone to:

• Develop a free guide containing lots of tips for offering a great user experience when building your first widget, such as how to consider navigation or developing for touchscreen phones
• Offer developers free opportunities to distribute widgets to a potential audience of more than one million Vodafone customers across the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and South Africa!

That’s right, the ‘Vodafone Widgets Manager’ client has been developed by Opera Software and is being beta launched for 10 handset models in these 5 markets. The client enables Vodafone customers to enjoy a free catalogue of widgets and soon, yours could be among them!

What’s in it for developers?

Firstly, you’ll get your widget out in front of real customers. More importantly, by seeing how many times your widget has been downloaded, you’ll be able to get free insights into how much they love your widget…or not. (As it’s a beta launch, the widgets are free to download with standard data charges applying.)

Also, you can choose if you want your widget to be available in any or all of the handsets and countries that are part of this beta launch, so you can see how your widget works across different cultures. Finally, once the content available via Vodafone Widget Manager becomes monetisable later in 2009, the feedback you can gain through this approach could help you generate revenue from the best of your widget innovations.