Widgets are small interactive applications that perform a single task such as, time, calendar, dictionary, translator or calculator.
Widgets that are used on mobile phones are called mobile widgets. They usually serve to maximize the use of screen space and help in setting applications on the mobile screen.
Widgets can be in the form of buttons, pop up windows, selection boxes, dialog boxes and toggle switches. Like any other application, a widget needs to be downloaded for the first time use and is then available without subsequent downloads.
Development of mobile widgets is a very difficult task, because the computer codes should be such that they are compatible with various devices and many operating systems. Several widgets are designed to run on specific mobile operating systems only.
The basic framework required to run these applications is called Widget Engine. The software allows applets to run and displayed on user interface such as a computer or a mobile. However, some mobile widgets do not require widget engines. You only need to point your mobile browser to a special URL to access the widget.
The popularity of widgets in the mobile world can easily be judged. They are a necessity for mobiles & messaging portal, because the size of the interface on a mobile is very small. Therefore, navigating through large amount of information becomes very challenging. Two or more widgets can be combined together to create a unique application. This approach suits the mobile world, because the screen space is extremely limited and switching between two or more applications is very difficult.
A widget can be created using some lines of XML or Java Script code and a few images. For mobiles, many AJAX based platforms are available. A widget is useful for both the developer and the end user.
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