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Opera CEO Jon von Tetzcher discusses the grand scheme for Opera Widgets: the mobile

Published July 26th, 2006 9:45 AM EDT By Daniel Goldman

Are you confused about why Opera added widget support in the desktop browser? You’re not alone. Many are.

Many have been wondering why Opera is so focused on widgets; after all we (or at least I) haven’t seen any real useful ones for the desktop browser. Opera Widgets, which are written with simple HTML and JavaScript and act just like a webpage, don’t have the same access to the browser’s API like Firefox’s extensions.

Perhaps we need to give it a bit more time to see any real useful Opera Widgets for the desktop browser. Opera Widgets haven’t been around for that long, after all.

The truth is, Opera Widgets were first created to run on device and mobile phones (using the Opera Platform), not the desktop. Support for widgets on the desktop browser came later.

Widgets are an excellent way to create programs and applications on mobile devices, without the need to write extensive programming code. It’s much easier and cheaper to make a widget than to make the traditional application for devices.

Since Opera Widgets are based on open standards, they can run anywhere. The widgets you make for the desktop browser will run on mobile phones and other devices, such as your TV.

Opera’s founder and CEO, Jon von Tetzchner, discusses these very points in an interview published today about widgets and its importance to Opera.

I think Opera has largely failed to explain why it’s focusing so much on widgets. This interview with Jon gives, probably for the first time, a detailed look into Opera’s thinking on widgets.

It’s an excellent interview and worth reading.

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11 Comments

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  1. 1 chess Jul 26th, 2006 at 9:55 am
    using Opera Opera 9.01 on Windows Windows 2000

    Opera platform?? Seems like an attempt to rule the mobile area. Go opera!

  2. 2 Holger Dors Jul 26th, 2006 at 11:20 am
    using Opera Opera 9.00 on Windows Windows XP

    I always thought that this was obvious? IMO, Opera more and more concentrates on the “gdaget market”: Opera Mini, Opera for Nintendo DS, Opera for Wii — all very successful, profitable projects.

  3. 3 Eddie Jul 26th, 2006 at 2:07 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.01 on Windows Windows XP

    I said this back in May hoping someone from Opera would respond with the information in that interview.

  4. 4 Sohil Jul 26th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.00 on Windows Windows XP

    Someone predicted this when Opera Watch was still at Blogspot. I was convinced this was the reason and now we have confirmation.

  5. 5 gandalf Jul 26th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
    using Mozilla Firefox Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.4 on Ubuntu Linux Ubuntu Linux

    Glad to know this!

    I was probably one of the most confused folks around since Widgets seems to have no business/user experience goal on desktop.
    On mobile it seems to be way more reasonable.

  6. 6 Darken Jul 26th, 2006 at 4:57 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.01 on Windows Windows XP

    Excellent infos & articles, thanx for this! :)

  7. 7 mrd Jul 29th, 2006 at 10:47 pm
    using Opera Opera 9.01 on Windows Windows XP

    I’ve never understood why people have an issue with widgets or that they wondered why it’s there.

    The Opera Platform and SDK in particular were there *months* before Opera 9 appeared and it was obvious from that point where widgets were coming from and why they were put into O9Desktop.

    It makes sense. Widget development - as part of the OPlatform - is all about value add for mobile/embedded OEMs and users. That turns into ka-ching for Opera and useability for those users.

    That it flows on to become widgets that you can ignore if you don’t like them (I’m not in that camp…) is irrelevant or a bonus depending on your viewpoint.

  8. 8 Org Aug 8th, 2006 at 8:42 pm
    using Opera Opera 8.50

    I think widgets on a phone would be incredible, especially for all of those little things you want to check in an instant. Widsets has attempted to do this so far but they don’t seem to work so well, or at all on my phone.

  9. 9 Joseph Mostarda Aug 11th, 2006 at 1:36 am
    using Opera Opera 9.01 on Windows Windows XP

    I agree that there aren’t very many useful widgets available at the moment. But hopefull this will change.

  10. 10 Gabo Aug 18th, 2006 at 2:46 am
    using Blazer Blazer 4.3 on Palm OS Palm OS

    It would be great to see more widgets oriented to sysadmin’s work too.

  11. 11 mazda Sep 25th, 2006 at 12:47 pm
    using Opera Opera 8.52 on Windows Windows XP

    Hmm… I can’t find googlebar for Opera… Where I can get it? I think Opera is best!

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Opera Watch, an Opera browser blog, is run by Daniel Goldman, who used to work for Opera Software as a Technical Evangelist.

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Q: What is Opera?
A: Opera is one of the most powerful Web browsers around. A Web browser is the program that allows you to view Web pages. Opera is well known for innovation for PC browsers and bringing the full web to mobile phones and devices.

Q: Is Opera free?
A: Absolutely free.

Q: Why should I download a browser? Doesn't my computer already come with one for free?
A: It's about getting more out of the time you spend on the internet. Opera is designed to be much faster than these browsers and gives you powerful features that the default browser lacks. Default browsers like Internet Explorer are also more likely to be subjected to dangerous software such as viruses and spyware.

Q: Will Opera keep me safe from fraudulent websites and malicious hackers?
A: According to Secunia, a respected firm that tracks security in browsers, Opera has the best reputation and track record when it comes to browser security. Keeping our users safe from security vulnerabilities, fraudulent websites, and malicious hackers is a top priority for Opera. Opera is maintained by hundreds of engineers, developers and security experts who are constantly looking to make the browser even safer.

Q: Doesn't Opera copy all of their features from other browsers?
A: Absolutely not. In fact, many of the features that are popular in other browsers today were invented and pioneered by Opera a long time ago. Opera invented the precursor to tabs (in 1994), Page Zoom (1994), was the first browser to block pop-up ads (2000), first to add a Search field in the browser toolbar (2000), Sessions (1996), deleting private data (2000), Mouse Gestures (2000), User JavaScript (2005), BitTorrent support (2005), Widgets (2006), Speed Dial (2007), and much more.

Q: Does Opera support extensions, such as those found in Firefox?
A: Much of the functionality provided through Firefox extensions is already built directly into Opera, so you don't have to download additional extensions in Opera. In addition, Opera is highly customizable and supports all standard plug-ins.

Q: Can I also use Opera on my mobile phone?
A: Yes. And your Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS or almost any connected device and mobile phones. Opera Mobile oftens comes preinstalled from the manufacturers, but if it doesn't you can install Opera Mini which runs on nearly all phones.

Q: This all sounds great, so how do I download Opera?
A: -- Opera on your computer
-- Opera Mini on your phone
-- Opera Mobile on your phone
-- or learn more about Opera at www.opera.com