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May
24
Widgets For Digital Signage
Filed Under Digital Signage, Tools
If you’re a bit of a technology junkie like me, you’re likely well aware of the Web 2.0 trending/fervor for “widgets” (a.k.a. gadgets, flakes, modules, etc). For those who don’t have the propeller on their head like me a basic definition for a widget is:
a portable chunk of code that can be installed and executed within any separate html-based web page.
Basically it means you can run someone else’s technology inside your own web pages or applications, easily. Mac and Linux users are very familiar with this type of app.
Ultimately, widgets are personalization tools for web sites. They allow users to make the site or experience their own…
I saw another interesting article from a while ago on Engadget that recapped some of the benefits of Widgets and where they were going and how they were used in our everyday use of web sites and applications.
It got me thinking about the Digital Signage world and where it was likely to go for appropriate and relevant content as each Network deployed was IP connected all the time.
You are all now, no doubt, familiar with my feelings with regards to Content on most Digital Signage deployments:
No…news, sports and weather still aren’t relevant content hooks for consumers & customers (a.k.a. your audience).
So here’s Google’s little collection of “Widgets” that they have for free and public use:
Google Widgets. They have games, utilities, tools, etc.
One of Digital Signage’s big opportunities is its dynamic nature and connected “presence” inside some type of environment where a consumer is.
I personally think there’s a big market for “Widgets” inside the Digital Signage space….it’s a little early but maybe I’ll make this my next company. 
Basically, I’m referring to Common elements, across any type of Network, that are recognized by most consumers as an engageable or personalized info device. More on this in a second.
There are two forces at work here that I think will push the market this way:
- Network Operators need more relevance and thought put behind what shows up on their screens, and News, weather, sports as “channels” of content are going to die Just like they did on mobile and the “original Interweb”. If your Network is like a magazine, you need more umph in what’s on the screen to keep people coming back
- Consumers actually do have things they do need to know, on a regular basis, in every city, that they WANT to find out about. And they’re completely common! If you can provide the info, in a recognized manner they’ll always pay attention to your screens
Funny huh? I see demand, and no supply. I wonder if there’s an opportunity there??
From a market traction perspective, if you develop a widget for, let’s say Real Estate listings, that is easily and readily deployed into any major network, I bet you could go to every single Network Operator of Digital Signage in Grocery and places like Wal-Mart and Home Depot and get a $1/Screen/Day for the rights to access that content and display it. Why? Because customers in those environments are potentially in the headspace to be looking for new property.
It doesn’t make much sense to do it for one location but if you could sign up 10,000?
Here’s just a few thoughts, off the top of my head, on widgets that I’d like to see for various networks
- Local traffic widget
- Transit Availability widget (are buses/trains on time)
- Flight Arrival widget
- Music Widgets (for downloads to phones/desktops)
- Contesting widgets
- Home Automation Widget - sounds out there but imagine a user being able to turn up the heat at home through any screen in the city….give them a remote control interface for their lives that you can actually use (a phone’s screen is too small for this type of enhanced interaction)
- SKU checker widget - again, sounds odd but if you tied in to Froogle, you could find areas around a screen that have the cheapest price on …something
Oh, and by the way, do NOT make your widget a scrolling ticker.
Some of these widgets are standalone, others are IP connected and can be engaged via phone or other 3rd party device.
Have your own? Throw your ideas in the comments.
So who’s taking this idea and running with it? Build a directory of digital signage widgets and sell via subscription.
digital-signage 
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3 Responses to “Widgets For Digital Signage”
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RedPost/Goshen offers users a mac widget, google widget, RSS feed, or embeddable iframe (to put on your webpage or blog) — all of the same content that shows on the digital signs.
It’s all about giving your viewer the info they want how they want.
http://www.theredpost.com/goshen/feedme.php
I am extremely interested in this concept and will eventually develop these apps. I agree with Rob and realize the need now for clean yahoo widget like applications that are specific to interactive digital signage. It also seems all the SWF and HTML base gadgets lack visual appeal and open links to full web pages. The widgets or gadgets need to be freely scalable and available with source files.
Clearly a good way to go to bring common contents on DS netowrks.
Goes along the way of thinking that we need to design apps without a specific platform in mind. It needs to be easily adaptable for mobile, website, social networks, DS, etc.
You said you’ll be in Montreal next week ?
Let’s make plans for a new start-up