Web Applications Blog

With the release of the beta version of the Opera Widgets SDK, developers can get started on making widgets for mobile. So far UIQ 3.3 supports widgets, and support on more platforms are on the way. The SDK contains among other things:

Documentation

We added 10 more articles and documentation about widgets, especially focusing on mobile and cross device development. See the SDK overview page for more information.

Tools

The new Widget emulator will emulate how your widget will work on different devices. And it's implemented as a widget! You can also use Opera Dragonfly to debug your widget, even when they are running in the emulator.

Libraries

You'll find several libraries on the Libraries section on dev.opera.com which helps speed up development. This list will expand as we go forward.

And it's all on the web! Each article and tool is available from Opera's developer website dev.opera.com.

Widget emulator and Dragonfly

The Widget emulator is a tool for seeing how your widgets will look like and behave on different devices. It emulates screen size, media query behavior, the docked widget mode as well as aspects such as network speed and the size of the preference store.

Development for mobile is made quicker and easier by not having to transfer the widget to test on the actual device. Instead, you can just reload your widget in the emulator and test on the phone when you're happy with the resuts.

By using Opera Dragonfly, you can also debug your widgets. They show up as runtimes just like the webpages in your tabs.

Widgets on mobile and cross device development

Opera Mobile 9.5 is on it's way, and with it, developers will be able to make widgets on mobile phones. Mobile widgets offer interesting possibilities for people on the move, as well as challenges when it comes to usability and performance.

For now, we've put up an overview of the characteristics of widgets on mobile phones and some advice for doing cross device development. There's also some advice for a mobile development process. With these, and the emulator, you can get a head start in developing for mobile.

What the future holds

We have more in the works for extending the SDK with more useful tools and documentation. Some examples:

More libraries

More libraries are in the works. For example, we have a library for internationalization and localization coming up and there is also a framework for more easily making resizable and flexible widget in the works.

More functionality in the emulator

We're working on simpler ways of loading your widget into the emulator, as well as emulating more of the functionality of widgets.

More widget examples

We're going to give you a few more widgets to play with, in addition to those you can already find on widgets.opera.com.

More documentation and articles

We'll improve on the current documents, as well as adding more articles. Examples include converting widgets from other runtimes to Opera widgets, more guidelines for mobiles, using Dragonfly with widgets and more.

We also want to hear what you have to say, so do visit the Opera Widgets forums and tells us what you need!

It's a been a while since we unleashed widgets.opera.com 2.0 on the world so we're long overdue a blog post from the devs regarding what we have done and where we intend to take things.

Read more...

You may have seen we're approaching the 1001st widget on widgets.opera.com. 1001 widgets is a milestone we want to celebrate properly with the readers of this blog. So we invited a special guest to our Web chat next week.

More than 11 years ago, Jon von Tetzchner and Geir Ivarsøy huddled in a darkened corner of Telenor to create what would become Opera. Fast forward to today and Opera is everywhere. That success is due in no small part to Jon and Geir's original vision to make Opera small and portable.

And now we're sitting down to chat with the main man himself. Please join us next Thursday, March 1st, at 5:00 PM CET (or whatever the time is where you are) over on #webapps.

See you there!

We had some great questions last night about the Widget World Cup. Thanks to everyone who attended and made this easily our best chat yet.

We're planning another one at the same time next week, but the topic will be revealed on Monday. Stay tuned for more.

And lastly, congratulations to grafio for winning our random chat t-shirt prize this week.

Good luck to everyone entering widgets - go out there and get your friends to try them out - and Opera might just hand you €3,000.
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OperaWebApps: Hi everyone. Welcome to today's chat session on the Widget World Cup.

Question from dantesoft: I am working on a widget to help me (and english speaking people) learn Serbian. I am Romanian. I'd want to tag the widget as international... (RO is doing poorly in the championship)
OperaWebApps: Hi Dantesoft, you can add other tags to the widget to specify the other languages and categories. But for the widget world cup, use Romania. We also lowered the bar for qualification: countries need only 5 widgets and 500 downloads of each widget to qualify.

OperaWebApps: Right now, the following countries have qualified: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Germany, Poland, Russia, UK, and the U.S.

Question from Ramunas: So which country is winning?
OperaWebApps: The World Cup has two stages - the qualifying and then the final (kind of like the real World Cup). So right now, all that matters is how your widget does domestically against the other widgets. Then we let all the country winners battle it out. In another way of looking at it, the most downloaded widget from each of those eight countries we listed will win €1,000.

OperaWebApps: Italy is on the cusp of qualifying, so the most downloaded widget there will win €1,000.

Question from dantesoft: Is it too late for 'team (east) Europe'?
OperaWebApps: If you consider Poland and Russia Eastern Europe, I think we have a good representation. But hey, with the new rules in place, doesn't that make it easier to win?

Question from shadow: dom.js(i found it inside the animation dwl file) is it one of the 10 libs that opera is developing?

OperaWebApps: The chat about the libraries will happen in a few weeks.

OperaWebApps: The dom.js file is a helping library for our other libraries. So...yes

Question from dantesoft: I see qualified widgets come in all shapes and sizes. What are the minimum requirements? the ones in the OC Widgets blog?
OperaWebApps: The widget you're talking about was uploaded and approved before the style guide existed.

OperaWebApps: Since we can't go back and delete all the widgets, we instead ask that all new widgets conform to the style guide.

OperaWebApps: And we've gone back and asked earlier widget developers to review their widgets in accordance with the style guide.

Question from shadow: Did the rules change?where are the new ones?

OperaWebApps: We are updating the Widget World Cup page. By tomorrow it should be fixed.

OperaWebApps: Note that the baseline is now 5 widgets and 500 downloads to qualify the country.

Question from jadd: Is someone logging this for those (me included) who missed the first few minutes of this chat?

OperaWebApps: Yes we are logging it and, just like the last chat, the transcript will be posted on the Web Applications blog.

Question from babox: I made a widget for Mexico, but I live in Italy and I made other widgets for Italy. I don't think, but what would it happen if I win in both countries?

OperaWebApps: The one rule we have is that you have to live in the country that we send the money to, so unfortunately you could only win for Italy. Mexico would default to the next most-downloaded widget.

Question from dantesoft: How do you comment (on) the allegations that some national teams used performance-enhancing libraries ?
OperaWebApps: We take a hard stand against doping - by using the Widget Style Guide

OperaWebApps: But feel free to use any performance enhancing libraries, especially ours. (more coming soon...)

Question from shadow: What do I have to do to submit one already posted widget to into the competition?

OperaWebApps: Simply go back and edit your widget to tag your country. Simple process. We want to get as many countries qualified as possible.

Question from dantesoft: What about stats: number of updates per widget, visits, downloads.. ?

OperaWebApps: Good suggestions. We do keep records, but we currently only display the best week and the most recent week

OperaWebApps: It's a good idea though and we'll look into it.

OperaWebApps: Remember that making the widget is only half the battle. The other half is promoting it to your friends, on your blog, to colleagues, etc. Anyone have good strategies they want to share?

Question from just-a-nick: Is there any hope for countries like Canada?
OperaWebApps: Of course. Because we lowered the threshhold, Canada only needs two new widgets with 500 downloads. The Daily Crossword widget just needs a few more downloads. So Canada can qualify no problem.

OperaWebApps: You have more than one month and a half.

OperaWebApps: The new rules stipulate that each qualifying country need 5 widgets with 500 downloads each. That's pretty easy.

OperaWebApps: Everything will be updated at http://widgets.opera.com/wwc/

OperaWebApps: We just figured we'd give you guys the early heads up...

Question from grafio: I've read here about some "eastern Europe" country. Are you going to do this? I understand why you lowered minimum requirements, because the final competition wouldn't be fun with 1 or 2 countries, but I think this "eastern Europe" change would be very unfair.

OperaWebApps: We're still sticking with individual countries. Every country deserves it's own chance.

Question from shadow: Do widgets made with widgetize qualify as a valid widget?for the competition ?

OperaWebApps: Yes they do, but don't forget they still need 500 downloads.

OperaWebApps: So promotion is the key.

OperaWebApps: And don't forget it's the highest number of downloads during each widget's best week that will win the national competition.

Question from babox: Do you think to organize other competitions in the future?
OperaWebApps: Absolutely. Feel free to post your suggestions in the Web Applications blog or the widgets blog.

Question from dantesoft: What is the policy on incremental developing, v0.1, v0.2, .. when the author encourages users to come back and download the new version?
OperaWebApps: We have no problems with that.

OperaWebApps: If it makes the widget better, that's better for the users. And we definitely encourage more downloading of the widget.

Question from grafio: Is conforming with the widget style guide mandatory now in WWC?
OperaWebApps: The Style Guide isn't retroactive

OperaWebApps: But now to get the widget posted on the site, you need to follow the style guide.

Question from grafio: What do you think about an idea to make the Widget World Cup every year?
OperaWebApps: What? You don't want it every fourth year?

OperaWebApps: No, we'll certainly consider running this again. Especially if we get more countries qualified.

Question from dantesoft: what about help from Opera's widget specialists ? available on request, like before ?

OperaWebApps: You're welcome to post things on the forum, which hopefully will be community-driven.

OperaWebApps: If you don't get the help you need, I'm sure there are Opera widget developers who will help you out.

OperaWebApps: Opera developers monitor the forums closely and respond whenever they can.

Question from shadow: Do widget which are made to show case a new way of doing things aka proof-of-concept kind of widgets qualify?

OperaWebApps: As long as they follow the style guide. And remember it's a popularity contest, so maybe a proof-of-concept would generate a lot of interest.

OperaWebApps: These widgets can be added to the "tools" category on the Web site.

Question from dantesoft: yes, about that, how friendly do you expect to be comments to be from arch-rivals?

OperaWebApps: Could you repost about the arch-rivals? Do you mean the forums?

OperaWebApps: Ok...here we go. Next question submitted to Pony and accepted will win a t-shirt.

Question from grafio: You lowered the requirements, but aren't you afraid it may be to hard to pass 25 000 downloads in 3 weeks? From my experience it's hardly possible (especially for old widgets)?

OperaWebApps: Congratulations Grafio, you just won yourself another t-shirt.

OperaWebApps: We'll consider that, but the ultimate goal is to get really cool widgets out there, and to get lots of widget downloads.

Question from dantesoft: Yes, i'm all for national pride, but there's money involved (jk)

OperaWebApps: We understand. Just remember to play nice. If you have any extreme issues, try searching the forums for info.

OperaWebApps: If you still don't find what you need, you can message the Opera Widget Developers, but don't expect an answer too fast.

OperaWebApps: We're trying our best to give you the best widget experience.

OperaWebApps: And hopefully you guys will help us create the best widgets

Question from grafio: Thanks, I'm lucky today.
OperaWebApps: You are welcome - thank you for your great widgets.

Question from shadow: Who can we thank for comming up with the idea of widgets inside opera?
OperaWebApps: The same people that created tabbed browsing, integrated BitTorrent client, start where you left off, blah blah blah...

OperaWebApps: Four minutes left...any more questions?

OperaWebApps: If you want any ideas for promoting your widgets to get downloads, feel free to ask..

Question from grafio: What if none widget will pass 25000?
OperaWebApps: What? You don't think it's possible?

OperaWebApps: There are still a couple of months left before the final. It is up to you to determine how popular widgets will become.

Question from grafio: It is possible but it is possible that none widget will have more than 25k.

OperaWebApps: Yes that is true...we hear you but we don't believe you. If by chance it does happen, we'll figure out what is fair and what works best for everyone.

OperaWebApps: Thanks a lot everyone. Have a nice evening. This chat will be posted on the Web Applications Blog for everyone to see. Until next time...OperaWebApps signing off.

We had a great chat last Thursday. Thanks to everyone who joined us. Here is the transcript. Don't forget to join us again this Thursday when we talk about the Widget World Cup and promoting your widget.

OperaWebApps: Hi everyone. Welcome to today's Web chat. Feel free to start posting questions to /msg pony !ask and your question.

Question from shadow: Can I use opera animation library in my website?
OperaWebApps: You are free to use the animation libraries on your own site, however be advised that the JavaScript may not work in IE as our libraries are built to adhere with the standards. The specific problem is that you cannot extend the HTMLElement.prototype in IE.

Question from grafio: I'm not familiar with IRC, does it work?
OperaWebApps: Yes it's working. We're just taking time to answer the questions thoroughly.

Question from shadow: Does the license allow me to include the animation library in anyother free library or let's say even my own library?
OperaWebApps: You are free to use the library for any commercial or personal purpose. It's currently licensed under the BSD license. All you need to do is keep Opera's copyright in the file and note that you cannot use Opera's name as endorsement for your product or service.

Question from grafio: what's in the extension library? It's not documented (or am I wrong?)
OperaWebApps: The extension library is a collection of shorthand methods for often-used functionality or effects. In the current download of the library, there should be JSDoc documentation.

p01_chat: Hello everyone. For your pleasure, the demos of the animation library are now available on: http://my.opera.com/community/dev/widgets/animation/demos/

Question from shadow: Question about the T-shirts, if i edit and upload one of my widgets due i still get a t-shirt?or does it have to be a totally new widget?
OperaWebApps: As long as your widget conforms to the style guide, we will give you a t-shirt. That's for this week. We're going to have another competition next week for the best use of the animation library.

OperaWebApps: Remember to post questions to our moderator using /msg pony !ask (your question)

OperaWebApps: Also, we'll answer any questions you might have about animation in JavaScript generally. We won't limit you to discussing the libraries we've posted.

Question from grafio: How about questions about other libraries? Can you reveal a (tiny) bit of the secret what's coming next?
OperaWebApps: We're working on some very nifty libraries - this is the tip of the iceberg. We have more than 10 more coming up.

Question from shadow: Is there one which will enable automatic widget updates?
OperaWebApps: We cannot comment on the exact contents of all the libraries, but we do take this feedback seriously. We're developers too, of course, and recognize the value of that feature.

Question from wrtlprnft: I have a question about how to use this library (and the ones to come up): Can I use them on web pages, or do I have to limit my use of it to widgets?
OperaWebApps: We cannot comment on the specific license for all the libraries, but some of them will be available under the same terms as the animation library. As we noted to Shadow, the animation library can be used for commercial and personal use both on Web sites and in widgets.

OperaWebApps: Here are two widgets that showcase some of the possibilities of the animation libraries: http://widgets.opera.com/author/gautam_chandna/

Question from shadow: Is there any chance the widgettab will return?in let's say opera 9.5?
OperaWebApps: Sorry, we cannot comment on future functionality in the browser. While many users liked the separate tab, there are certain accessibility and usability issues that need to be overcome.

OperaWebApps: One of our graphics guys just popped into our office to ask about the skill level needed to use these animation libraries. It's important to know that the tutorial is for developers with some previous JavaScript experience, but they don't have to be experts.

Question from grafio: Yeah why it's so slow?
p01_chat: The library is pretty fast, you must be talking about the chat session

OperaWebApps: Also good to note - the library is made to work on mobile devices too.
OperaWebApps: And grafio, we're just waiting on questions.

Question from STROBr: Are you planning more advanced animation - what aobut 3D?
OperaWebApps: If there is a huge demand for such libraries, we will definitely consider them. For now, we can tease you with Opera's 3D canvas functionality: http://my.opera.com/WebApplications/blog/show.dml/261474

p01_chat: The demos of the animation library are now available on: http://my.opera.com/community/dev/widgets/animation/demos/

OperaWebApps: If there are no additional questions, we will cut this chat short. The transcript will be available online at the Web Applications blog.

Question from grafio: How about a GUI library? Did you ever consider it or maybe it doesn't make sense in your opinion
OperaWebApps: In some of the libraries we are releasing there are elements for creating rich graphics and user interfaces.

Question from grafio: Do you want to release all the libraries together or separately?
OperaWebApps: We have just released the first library and will be rolling the other ones out when they are ready. We want to make sure we have good examples and proper documentation in place before sharing them with the wider world.

OperaWebApps: Alright everyone. Thanks for joining us today. We will post this transcript on the Web Apps team blog. Speak to you all soon.