Carriers, online giant partner to create common platform for widgets

By Giselle Abramovich

April 25, 2008

No fidgets with widgets

Mobile carriers China Mobile and Vodafone, along with Internet investor Softbank, have partnered to create a universal platform for widgets.

This will be the first initiative of the three companies who have also agreed to establish a Joint Innovation Lab to promote the overall development of mobile software, technologies and services. The companies intend the Joint Innovation Lab to accelerate the deployment of mobile Internet services.

“The strategy behind partnering with these companies is to share our combined expertise to drive innovation in mobile Internet services,” said Mark Street, senior manager in technology media relations at Vodafone, London. “Between the three of us we can work together and exchange ideas and get great services to our customers.

China Mobile, Vodafone and Softbank hope that their efforts will also drive synergy in the mobile industry.

Universal widgets are the Joint Innovation Lab’s first task,  meant to encourage the development of new services that can leverage the capabilities of wireless carriers.

Widgets are small, Web-based applications that give users access to services they want.

The move will enable different widgets and applications to run smoothly on all types of handsets and operating systems across all carriers and at the same time safeguard customer security.

The establishment of the Joint Innovation Lab is subject to regulatory approval and closing conditions.

“Mobile widgets are useful applications and that’s why we are looking to make a universal platform for them,” Mr. Street said. “Now, more Web developers can make compelling applications across different operating systems and across all operators.”