StickiWidgets

We have a slight update for the bLaugh Widget. Both MySpace and Stickam insert the allowNetwoking=internal tag onto the embed code which disables external linking from Flash. Unfortunately, there are other sites that are following in this direction. This makes it difficult for Flash widgets to provide the user experience that many widgets providers and developers want to present to the user. We are no different in this respect.

After a bit of tinkering with the bLaugh Widget, we have come up with a simple solution which allows the user to click, navigate to and view the original bLaugh comic and comments on bLaugh.com. Below is the new code which will enable this on sites like MySpace and Stickam.

Code (for MySpace, Stickam, allowNetworking=internal, et al):

<embed src="http://stickiwidgets.com/widgets/blaugh/blaugh.swf" quality="best" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="447" height="270" name="blaugh" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /><br /><a style="border:0;margin:0;padding:0;" href="http://stickiwidgets.com/widgets/blaugh/redirect.php" title="click here to view comic"><img style="width:447px;height:20px;border:0;margin:0;padding:0;" src="http://stickiwidgets.com/widgets/blaugh/click_here_to_view_comic.png" alt="click here to view comic" /></a><br /><a href="http://blaugh.com" title="bLaugh">bLaugh</a> widgetized by <a href="http://stickiwidgets.com/blaugh-widget/" title="StickiWidgets: bLaugh Widget">StickiWidgets</a>

We hadn’t seen this before and just ran across this on Sexy Widget. After some cursory research, it looks like this widget was quietly released sometime last month and hasn’t received much coverage. The NBA Player Widget (example: Joe Smith - scroll past the fold) is brought to us by Clearspring, they are the same people that gave us the Colts Widget.

The player widget provides the usual features; basic player stats, top 3 news headlines for the player and links to the various NBA web properties, player profile, team site, and player news. Every NBA player has their own widget so no one will be left out. Here is the list of players; go to their profile and grab the code. You can also grab the code for a player from the widget itself via the “Snag-it” button.

There are a couple of interesting things to note here. It’s great to see another major company/entity (NBA) embracing widgets. We have said it before and we will say it again, it is in the best interest of sports organizations (among others) to reach out to their fans and their fans will reciprocate with renewed fervor. Widgets are a great way to extend that reach.

The other thing of note is of course Clearspring. With both the Colts and NBA on their list, it’s clear that they are doing something right. We look forward to what else Clearspring has up their sleeve. Unfortunately, our quick search did not reveal any other widgets. As a sports fan, we hope other sports related widgets are in the pipeline and Clearspring can leverage their existing partnerships and experience in bring these widgets to reality (how about the NHL and LA Kings). That said, we look forward to non-sports related widgets too.

The new Apple iPhone has been making the rounds on the blogosphere so we’re not going to rehash the same old details. But, we will point out some interesting things. OS X Internet Safari Widgets 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.46 inches 320 by 480 at 160 ppi With OS X, internet connectivity and Safari you can take your content anywhere. Or, as Steve Jobs put it, “It’s the internet in your pocket.”

The screen size is perfect for widgets. Imagine the SpringWidgets Scoreboard, NHL scores anytime anywhere, or our new bLaugh Widget and have access to the 20 latest bLaugh comics. The possibilities are endless.

If you haven’t already, you should go check out Apple’s site for more information regarding the iPhone and the video of Macworld 2007 Keynote Address.

Unfortunately, the iPhone will be released on the Cingular network with the 4GB and the 8GB versions priced at $499 and $599, respectively.

Update: We just caught up on our readings and Read/WriteWeb has a great write-up on the iPhone. In particular we like the comment by Steve O’Hear and we couldn’t agree more.

“However, while the bundled apps from Apple, Google and Yahoo are a great start, I’m hoping that the iPhone (unlike the iPod) will be opened to third-party developers. With the device being driven by a version of OS X, imagine what the rest of the developer community could bring to the party. If Apple doesn’t go down this road it will leave many a Mac fan (including myself) wanting more.”

Update #2: Looks like Apple’s got some trouble on their hands. Apparently, iPhone is already trademarked and Cisco (current owners of the trademark) has filed suit against Apple just 1 day after the announcement of the iPhone at Mac World 2007. While it doesn’t take away from the phone itself, it is unfortunate. For some information from Cisco’s point of view, Mark Chandler (Cisco’s SVP and General Counsel) has posted a commentary on Apple’s infringement of Cisco’s iPhone trademark.

Update #3: It looks like we may be waiting a while for the ultimate mobile widget platform. Additional information from ReadWrite/Web suggests that it is unlikely the iPhone will be opened up for third party developers. The next question is… Will it support Flash? There are indications that it may not. These are disappointing developments indeed…