Those lucky Japanese. Again they are mocking us with all their modern technology and services. Now Opera Software, probably the best known by its (mobile) web browser, partnered with Japanese carrier, KDDI, to integrate Opera Widgets on Toshiba W56T, Sony Ericsson W54S and Sanyo W54SA mobile phones. The new service called “au one Gadget” aims to provide users with the tools to “improve and personalize” their browsing experience, and will allow users to access the existing Opera Widgets library. “When” you ask? According to Opera’s press release (which follows after the jump), KDDI will release handsets with “au one Gadget” functionality in December this year…
The mobile widget space is heating up. We have Nokia pushing its WidSets and the upcoming S60 Widgets, and now Opera is coming with its solution. Guess Yahoo and Google, which already have widgets in their offering are next to mobilize widgets. We’ll watch this space carefully… In the meantime, if you want to know more – check out the mentioned press release after the jump.
PRESS RELEASE – Opera Software, the only company that puts the Web on any device, and KDDI, Japan’s leading 3G operator, today announced that Opera Widgets will be shipped on Toshiba W56T, Sony Ericsson W54S and Sanyo W54SA from KDDI. Branded as “au one Gadget” by KDDI, Opera’s Widget technology enables users to improve and personalize their browsing experience. This is the first time Opera Widgets have shipped on mobile phones.
Opera Widgets are small and often simple-purpose applications built using open Web technologies. Users can select their favorite widget, and install it on devices that support Widgets. Opera Widgets provide instant access to services such as RSS feeds, game results, weather, traffic information, stocks, news, SNS and more. With Opera Widgets, users can easily access personalized content directly from the Web.
About “au one Gadget”
The au one Gadget is a Web application made with open standards. Users can download their favorite Gadget to their handsets. The Gadget runs on the device’s idle screen. Users can download more than one Gadget to their device. To toggle a Gadget on the idle screen, push the “left” or “right” buttons to cycle quickly through Gadgets.
“KDDI continues to set the bar high for advanced mobile phones, and Opera is pleased to be a part of this revolution,” says Jon von Tetzchner, CEO, Opera Software. “In addition to ensuring the best Internet experience to our users by “PC Site Viewer”, we hope that au one Gadget — as a new way of utilizing the Web — will be an efficient tool for KDDI’s customers.”
“We are confident that au one Gadget will be a key application for our mobile phones,” says Takashi Nagashima, General Manager, Consumer Service & Product Planning Division, KDDI. “Furthermore, for mobile application developers, au one Gadget is an easy-to-use application platform. Many content providers have already decided to create their original Gadget. With Gadgets technology available, mobile phones can become almost anything the users want.”
Availability
Handsets with “au one Gadget” functionality will be released in December 2007 by KDDI.