internet: August 2007 Archives
I came across Widsets earlier today via Bernie's blog. I'm not sure exactly how I got from his site to it, but there must have been a link somewhere!
Being able to consume content while using a mobile phone is always an interesting challenge.
Google's Reader has a mobile version which works pretty well, but it defaults to showing you ALL the unread items in ALL the feeds you are subscribed to, which can be quite annoying. Some of the feeds I am subscribed to I only read from time to time. I want them there, but that doesn't mean I want to read each and every item, thank you very much.
The other thing that can drive you mad when using a mobile is that a lot of sites are really awkward to navigate on a small screen and the images etc., are not optimised for mobile users.
Yes - the N95 has a very nice browser and yes you can use complex websites with it. I've even managed to post to forums from it.
Widsets seems to be a service / solution to help users overcome these issues.
For example, as I'm in Ireland I can easily find Irish content that interests me (I put a rudimentary widset for Blacknight online as a test!)
I'm going to play around with the system a bit over the next few days and see how good it is, but so far I like the concept and implementation - which is good!
Being able to consume content while using a mobile phone is always an interesting challenge.
Google's Reader has a mobile version which works pretty well, but it defaults to showing you ALL the unread items in ALL the feeds you are subscribed to, which can be quite annoying. Some of the feeds I am subscribed to I only read from time to time. I want them there, but that doesn't mean I want to read each and every item, thank you very much.
The other thing that can drive you mad when using a mobile is that a lot of sites are really awkward to navigate on a small screen and the images etc., are not optimised for mobile users.
Yes - the N95 has a very nice browser and yes you can use complex websites with it. I've even managed to post to forums from it.
Widsets seems to be a service / solution to help users overcome these issues.
WidSets brings you information normally accessed via the Internet,
directly into your mobile phone. Using mini-applications called
widgets, it sends you updates made to your favorite websites. The
system uses RSS feeds to push information from these websites directly
into your mobile phone the minute theyre updated.
The system is compatible with a wide range of mobile phones and on registration you are sent an SMS with the url to download the application.
What's pretty nice about the system is that they allow you to create your own widsets (nice play on words!) and you can choose to display ones that are relevant to your location and interests.
For example, as I'm in Ireland I can easily find Irish content that interests me (I put a rudimentary widset for Blacknight online as a test!)
I'm going to play around with the system a bit over the next few days and see how good it is, but so far I like the concept and implementation - which is good!
