Widgets

General

• What are Widgets?
• What's the difference between widgets and WidSets?
• Where can I find widgets for my device?
• How much does it cost to use widgets?
• Is it safe to install and use widgets?
• How do I start a widget?
• Can I use widgets or gadgets developed for other platforms?
• How can I create my own widget?

Using Widgets

• How can I share a widget with my friends?
• How can I update a widget?
• How can I create shortcuts for widgets to access them faster?
• How many widgets can I run at the same time?
• Do widgets affect the performance of my device?
• Can I run widgets in the background?
• How do interact with a widget?
• Why do widgets look different from one another?
• Why is my widget not working?
• A widget I have installed contains inappropriate or offensive content. What can I do?
• How do I close a widget?
• How do I remove a widget?
• How can I preserve my widgets after a device software update?

Connections

• Do all widgets require an internet connection to work?
• How do I define the internet access point (IAP) for a widget that needs network?
• Can I use a widget with a WLAN connection?
• Can I switch the IAP if my initial connection is not available?
• Why does my widget not ask for an IAP when I start it?

General

What are Widgets?

Widgets are small, independent web applications that you can install and use on your mobile device. They provide access to specific and frequently used functions or information, such as weather forecasts or news on the internet. To use widgets, your device must support widgets. Widgets do not require separate user registration.

What's the difference between widgets and WidSets?

Widgets are stand-alone web applications, downloaded directly to your device. These widgets run on the device without a client. The widgets are compatible with new S60 devices.

The widgets dashboard service WidSets is a service which allows members to create a personalised dashboard containing their favourite widgets from the thousands of widgets in the library. Members can bookmark, comment, and share interesting content. They can also create widgets for their favorite websites and blogs. WidSets sends an alert when the widgets have new content.

Where can I find widgets for my device?

You can find widgets in several ways:

• The Download! application on your device
• The OVI service at http://store.ovi.com

Websites of service providers and third-party widget developers and service providers.

How much does it cost to use widgets?

Using a widget and accessing the services and content it provides may be chargeable, depending on the widget developer or the service provider.

Most widgets are internet applications. Using them may require internet access that may incur data charges associated with using widgets. For more information, contact your service provider.

Is it safe to install and use widgets?

Widgets have very limited access to the data and services on your device. However, as with any other applications, websites, or internet services, be careful when installing widgets and providing personal information through them. Make sure that the widget is from a trustworthy source such as the Nokia Download! application.

How do I start a widget?

To start a widget, click the widget icon in your device menu. By default, the installed widgets are in the Applications folder.

You can also search for a widget using the Nokia Search application. Type the first few characters of the widget name, and click the widget name when it appears in the My Content list.

Can I use widgets or gadgets developed for other platforms?

No. The technology used to develop widgets for the S60 platform is very similar to the one used by other widgets technology providers such as Microsoft or Apple. However, only widgets packaged for S60 run on a Nokia device that supports widgets.

How can I create my own widget?

To personalise your device by creating your own widgets, see the Forum Nokia website at www.forum.nokia.com. It contains lots of information on the requirements and how to get started.

Using Widgets

How can I share a widget with my friends?

Do the following:

• Send the widget installation file to your friend. The filename extension is .wgz, such as weatherbug.wgz. Send the file from your PC or mobile device using e-mail or Bluetooth connectivity.

How can I update a widget?

Download and install a new version of it. This overwrites the previous installation, therefore you may lose settings stored in the widget.

To preserve your widgets when you update the software of your mobile device, back up the content of your device before the update. After the update, restore the content from the backup.

How can I create shortcuts for widgets to access them faster?

You can create shortcuts for your most frequently used widgets to the list of applications displayed in the active standby mode. For details, see the user guide for your device.

You can also organise your widgets by creating a new folder and moving the widgets to it. For details, see the user guide for your device.

When you are running a widget, you can quickly switch between the widget and other open applications on your device by pressing the menu key for a few seconds.

How many widgets can I run at the same time?

This depends on the available memory in your device. Typically, you should be able to run at least three to five widgets at the same time.

Do widgets affect the performance of my device?

Yes they do. Like any other applications, active widgets consume resources available on your device. This has an impact on, for example, battery consumption, data consumption, and memory. The impact is similar to that of any other application and depends on the type of the widget.

Can I run widgets in the background?

Yes, widgets can remain active in the background if so designed. It is recommended that developers set widgets active in the background only if the function of the widget requires it. This optimises the use of device resources, and decreases data costs.

How do interact with a widget?

You can interact with a widget in several ways, depending on the widget functions:

• Use a pointer, as you would in the browser application.
• Use tabs, as you would in other applications, such as messaging or calendar.

Why do widgets look different from one another?

Nokia provides basic guidelines for designing widgets, but widget developers can define widget layout and functions independently.

Why is my widget not working?

If a single widget is not working properly, contact the widget developer or your service provider.

If none your widgets are working properly, contact Nokia Care.

If your device stopped working or is malfunctioning after installing widgets, contact Nokia Care.

A widget I have installed contains inappropriate or offensive content. What can I do?

If you have downloaded the widget from a Nokia source, contact Nokia Care and report the case.

If you have downloaded the widget from a service provider or another third-party widget developer, contact the service provider or the developer.

How do I close a widget?

Select Exit on the widget user interface.

How do I remove a widget?

Select the widget icon in your device menu, and press C, or select Options > Remove. This uninstalls the widget from your device, but not the widget installation package file (.wgz file).

How can I preserve my widgets after a device software update?

Back up your device content before the software update, and restore the content from the backup after the update.

Connections

Do all widgets require an internet connection to work?

Not all widgets require internet connectivity. If all the resources needed by the widget can be stored locally, then network connectivity is not needed and will not be established by the widget. For example, some game widgets work locally and do not require network connection.

How do I define the internet access point (IAP) for a widget that needs network?

Widgets requiring network connectivity share the network settings with your default Nokia Browser application. The widgets either ask which internet access point (IAP) to use, or use the default IAP. To change the settings for widgets, change the settings for the browser.

Can I use a widget with a WLAN connection?

Yes, a widget can use WLAN IAPs, as well as cellular network connections such as GSM, EDGE, or UMTS.

Can I switch the IAP if my initial connection is not available?

Currently this feature is not supported. If you move out of network range, you must reconnect or restart the widget.

Why does my widget not ask for an IAP when I start it?

There can be several reasons for this:

• The widget does not require a network connection.
• You already have a widget open and connected to the network. All widgets use the existing connection.
• Your browser application is configured to use a default connection IAP. All widgets use that connection.
• The widget is malfunctioning. Contact the widget developer or your service provider.