This article is more than 1 year old

BONDI is all beachy with W3C

Happy widget consensus happens

The OMTP's widget framework BONDI now complies with the W3C's definition of the term, paving the way to properly-cross-platforms applications.

BONDI extends the W3C definition of a Widget to include a security policy and mobile-specific APIs, but the OMTP is pleased to report that its reference implementation now passes the W3C's Packaging and Configuration specification - so the groups agree on what a Widget is and how it should be distributed.

Widgets used to be small applications with independently-updated data streams, often constantly on display, but both the OMTP and W3C have widgets with much higher aspirations.

"We want something that has an install event, and a nice icon that sits alongside native applications: the user shouldn't be able to tell which is which," the OMTP tells us.

Widgets are developed in AJAX but deployed free of any containing web browser, which means they need both a secure execution environment and a standard distribution mechanism. The OMTP reckons its implementation is the first to meet both criteria, though there are still some odds and ends to sort out before it's fully compliant with the whole W3C Widget spec.

Given its history it would be ironic if JavaScript ended up achieving what Java intended - truly platform-independent applications. Widgets have industry backing and developer interest, but it remains to be seen if JavaScript can really make it on the desk- and palmtop. ®

More about

More about

More about

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like