Application Gadgets

An application gadget is a small computer program that provides a service without requiring an independent application to be launched, but runs instead in an environment that manages multiple gadgets. Desktop gadgets can be placed anywhere on the user's desktop - or docked in the Sidebar - and used to help keep track of tasks, tell time, make calculations, find out the weather, keep track of RSS feeds, make conversions, and a whole number of other services. There are several implementations based on existing software development techniques, such as JavaScript, form input, and various image formats.

Although gadgets and widgets can be used to provide the same sort of useful services, the difference between them lies in where they can be used. A widget is a piece of html code that can be copied and pasted anywhere where html is used (for example, websites, blogs or social networks), whilst a gadget can be used only in the specific website or operating system its is designed for. For example, Google gadgets only work in Google pages and a Microsoft gadget can only be used within Microsoft pages. Both gadgets and widgets can be very useful and help you to simplify your life, be it by keeping track of your schedule, compiling all your favourite feeds together, or simply keeping you updated on the time or weather.

Google Gadgets

A prominent feature of Google Desktop is the Sidebar, which resides off to one side of the desktop and holds several common gadgets and. The Sidebar comes pre-installed with gadgets such as:

• Scratch Pad (to store notes)
• Email (where Gmail messages can be viewed)
• News (shows the latest headlines from Google News)
• Web Clips( shows recent posts from RSS news feeds)
• Photos (displays a slideshow of photos)
• Weather (shows the current weather for a specific location)

Google offers a gallery of pre-built gadgets for download on the official website, and developers may also use an SDK (software development kit) to write gadgets for Google Desktop.

Microsoft Gadgets

Microsoft Gadgets are single-purpose light-weight applications that are hosted on a web page, or can sit on the user's computer desktop.

1. Microsoft Desktop Gadgets

In the Windows Vista operating system, these gadgets are docked onto and run in the Windows Sidebar. However, they may also be placed elsewhere on the screen, which typically causes them to expand and display more information. In Windows 7, the sidebar is removed, and gadgets are aligned on any side of the screen.

2. Microsoft Web Gadgets

These gadgets run on a web site, such as Live.com or Spaces. Live.com, and may integrate with other Windows Live services, including Mail, Search, and Favourites. Users can create multiple site tabs and customize each with different feeds, layouts, gadgets, and colour schemes.

3. Microsoft SideShow Gadgets

The gadgets run on auxiliary external displays, such as mobile phones, the outside of a laptop lid, keyboard LCD panels and potentially other devices. It enables Windows Vista to access information such as contacts, maps, calendar, and email even when the main system is in a standby mode. Since the underlying platform is power-efficient, it can run for hundreds of hours without draining a notebook battery, while still providing always-on access to multimedia content and data.