Myriad Group AG, a Europe-based provider of mobile phone software, reportedly has unveiled a new web-based widget solution, Myriad Dynamic Homescreen, which can deliver convincing services across a wide range of phones -- from high end feature models to ultra low-end handsets -- using a single development platform.


According to Myriad, its latest offering is a technology innovation that enables graphical web-based widgets on low-cost mobile phones, such as those selling for as little as $10 or $15 in India, Africa and Latin America.

In general, widgets are small applications that display weather reports, horoscopes, sports scores and other information directly on the mobile phone’s home screen, eliminating the need to search for the application. These widgets are easy to develop, dispose and instant to access.

According to ARCchart, an independent research and consulting firm, mobile widget caters to diverse niches of consumers by providing them with a targeted window onto the Internet. One of the company’s research reports indicates that the mobile widget market was estimated to be $72 million in 2008 and expects to grow at a CAGR of 80 percent, reaching $1.3 billion by 2013.

ARCchart says that the mobile widget market opportunity presents a number of potential revenue streams depending on preferred business model. Usually, widget platforms are either licensed to OEMs or wireless operators; or stand-alone widget platforms serve users directly, supported by revenue share agreements and advertising. Many a times, mobile widget platform vendors make use of a combination of business models attain popularity in marketplace.

However, in wealthier markets, mobile widgets have already proven popular on expensive feature phones and smart phones, and are now being added to an increasing range of mass market phones, says Myriad.

In order to introduce mobile widgets to less affluent market, such as rural areas of India, Myriad came-up with a new solution specifically designed for ultra-low cost phones, with low processing power and memory.

According to Myriad, its new Dynamic Homescreen is the world’s first widget technology that is capable of delivering graphical web-based services on low-cost devices.

Myriad Dynamic Homescreen is AJAX-based and its widgets can be dynamically updated through different data connections, such as 3G, GPRS, SMS, and USSD - a basic data service that is compatible with all GSM phones. This capability to receive data via USSD and SMS facilitates in delivering of entry-level data services to users without data contracts. Regions with poor coverage, such as rural areas, will also be benefited.

In addition, Dynamic Homescreen leverages technology, standards and developer tools that are common in the mobile industry. Currently, the company has ported its new widget solution across multiple chipset vendors, such as 16-bit RTOS and ARM7 100MHz designs. Moreover, the software has an exceptionally low entry point for system resources, requiring less than 500Kb ROM and 500Kb RAM, said Myriad.

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