Comments on: What the *@!*$ is a mobile web widget? http://thinkvitamin.com/code/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget/ The Web Practitioner's Blog Sat, 11 Feb 2012 16:33:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Varun http://thinkvitamin.com/code/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget/#comment-22356 Varun Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:38:57 +0000 http://carsonified.com/development/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget#comment-22356 sure...ever heard of impressions OR cost per install? they are viable opportunities with web widgets...I believe netvibes use it. A few other widget companies work off this model such as clearspring and slide who were recently acquired by Google. sure…ever heard of impressions OR cost per install? they are viable opportunities with web widgets…I believe netvibes use it. A few other widget companies work off this model such as clearspring and slide who were recently acquired by Google.

]]> By: James Pearce http://thinkvitamin.com/code/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget/#comment-5635 James Pearce Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:14:30 +0000 http://carsonified.com/development/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget#comment-5635 A bit baffled as to why you're mostly talking about the promise of the mobile web as whole but appending the word 'widget' as though it's an orthogonal opportunity. "Widgets are a great way to get a one click link to your app/site into the phones menu system" Like, um, a bookmark. But I think that's the point. Widgets are basically interesting desktop icons. Like a launcher for an calendar app that shows today's date - or a bookmark for a weather web site that syndicates items of the forecast data. But it would be hard to argue that a widget is somehow an business in itself - and yet not the site, service or extensive content that lies behind it. Interesting question: does anyone have a business model for a widget that does not involve a click-through? Widgets are like neon signs in a crowded highstreet. They're designed to attract attention and help you quickly find the business you seek. Now I'm sure there *is* a respectable niche business selling neon signs. But for the shopkeeper they are a marketing tool, the cost of which is only offset against increased customer traffic to the store's business itself. But no discussion about widgets is complete without the fabled analogue-clock-with-slightly-bouncy-hands. So I am glad you didn't disappoint :-) A bit baffled as to why you’re mostly talking about the promise of the mobile web as whole but appending the word ‘widget’ as though it’s an orthogonal opportunity.

“Widgets are a great way to get a one click link to your app/site into the phones menu system”

Like, um, a bookmark.

But I think that’s the point. Widgets are basically interesting desktop icons. Like a launcher for an calendar app that shows today’s date – or a bookmark for a weather web site that syndicates items of the forecast data.

But it would be hard to argue that a widget is somehow an business in itself – and yet not the site, service or extensive content that lies behind it.

Interesting question: does anyone have a business model for a widget that does not involve a click-through?

Widgets are like neon signs in a crowded highstreet. They’re designed to attract attention and help you quickly find the business you seek. Now I’m sure there *is* a respectable niche business selling neon signs. But for the shopkeeper they are a marketing tool, the cost of which is only offset against increased customer traffic to the store’s business itself.

But no discussion about widgets is complete without the fabled analogue-clock-with-slightly-bouncy-hands. So I am glad you didn’t disappoint :-)

]]> By: Tom http://thinkvitamin.com/code/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget/#comment-5634 Tom Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:22:11 +0000 http://carsonified.com/development/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget#comment-5634 What about some sort of mobile web dropbox esque device you can submit pictures you capture to so they auto upload to your computer. What about some sort of mobile web dropbox esque device you can submit pictures you capture to so they auto upload to your computer.

]]> By: Ryan http://thinkvitamin.com/code/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget/#comment-5633 Ryan Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:50:28 +0000 http://carsonified.com/development/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget#comment-5633 @Sam - I totally agree. That one step (typing a URL) is really harder than you think. @Sam – I totally agree. That one step (typing a URL) is really harder than you think.

]]> By: Sam Machin http://thinkvitamin.com/code/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget/#comment-5632 Sam Machin Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:39:24 +0000 http://carsonified.com/development/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget#comment-5632 I think one of the big advantages over a mobile web site is access, typing URL's into phones is a real pain and very few people use bookmarks. Widgets are a great way to get a one click link to your app/site into the phones menu system Its kinda ironic that on the desktop we're moving to everything inside the browser yet with mobile we're moving more onto the device. I think one of the big advantages over a mobile web site is access, typing URL’s into phones is a real pain and very few people use bookmarks. Widgets are a great way to get a one click link to your app/site into the phones menu system

Its kinda ironic that on the desktop we’re moving to everything inside the browser yet with mobile we’re moving more onto the device.

]]> By: Ryan http://thinkvitamin.com/code/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget/#comment-5631 Ryan Wed, 11 Mar 2009 10:31:17 +0000 http://carsonified.com/development/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget#comment-5631 @James - I know you can come up with something good :) @James – I know you can come up with something good :)

]]> By: Ryan http://thinkvitamin.com/code/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget/#comment-5630 Ryan Wed, 11 Mar 2009 10:30:57 +0000 http://carsonified.com/development/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget#comment-5630 @Jonathan - They're not any different, which is the exciting part! You can build web apps that work and hook into mobile devices, without writing a custom phone app. @Jonathan – They’re not any different, which is the exciting part! You can build web apps that work and hook into mobile devices, without writing a custom phone app.

]]> By: James http://thinkvitamin.com/code/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget/#comment-5629 James Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:39:39 +0000 http://carsonified.com/development/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget#comment-5629 I'd like to enter this but I think that the winner will be someone who can come up with a unique, useful idea - which is what I'm struggling with right now. So send me your ideas and I'll make any that sound promising - we can split the cash 60-40 :) I’d like to enter this but I think that the winner will be someone who can come up with a unique, useful idea – which is what I’m struggling with right now. So send me your ideas and I’ll make any that sound promising – we can split the cash 60-40 :)

]]> By: Jonathan Stark http://thinkvitamin.com/code/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget/#comment-5628 Jonathan Stark Wed, 11 Mar 2009 03:02:26 +0000 http://carsonified.com/development/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget#comment-5628 Other than not running in a mobile browser, how do widgets differ from a garden variety web app? Other than not running in a mobile browser, how do widgets differ from a garden variety web app?

]]> By: Andy Wright http://thinkvitamin.com/code/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget/#comment-5627 Andy Wright Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:10 +0000 http://carsonified.com/development/what-is-a-mobile-web-widget#comment-5627 Well I had no idea, so thanks for sharing! I enjoyed the low-tech demo, but I'm a little curious as to why you choose the window as the backdrop? Well I had no idea, so thanks for sharing!

I enjoyed the low-tech demo, but I’m a little curious as to why you choose the window as the backdrop?

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