Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
The latest version of Yahoo's toolbar drops the word "Engine" from its name and makes customization even easier than before. It also comes with a revamped look. Yahoo Widgets lets you add small standalone applications that can offer an endless variety of features, content, and system functionality.
Twenty-two default widgets are included--including a weather forecaster, a Yahoo Mail manager, a Wi-Fi signal checker, a calendar, and an iTunes remote. Though the true value of the app should be judged on the quality of the widgets developed, the platform itself is polished and easy to use.
A helpful tour introduces users to the basics of widgets, offering up some examples. Adding and removing widgets is simple, and the new widget dock features more personalization options. Most widgets include tweaks such as skinning options. Other new improvements include Windows Alt-Tab menu access and helpful configuration buttons that appear when you mouse over a widget. Unfortunately, the app inserts itself into your start-up programs without asking--but you can fix that in Preferences.
Yahoo Widget 4 is a valuable tool for users of Yahoo services, and it's a helpful download for anyone who wants standalone desktop tools for regular Web activities, system information, or whatever cool feature the next great widget will offer.
Publisher's Description
From Yahoo:
The Yahoo Widget Engine (formerly known as Konfabulator) is a JavaScript runtime engine for Windows and Mac OS X that lets you run little files called Widgets that can do pretty much whatever you want them to. Widgets can be alarm clocks, calculators, can tell you your WiFi signal strength, will fetch the latest stock quotes for your preferred symbols, and even give your current local weather.
Version 4 adds a new Widget Dock, automatic widget updates, reduced memory consumption, and new developer features such as SQL Lite support.
What's new in this version: Version 4 adds a new Widget Dock, automatic widget updates, reduced memory consumption, and new developer features such as SQL Lite support.
More Products to Consider
-
Bring back the Windows "Start" menu to Windows 8. -
Return the Windows 7 style Start menu to Windows 8. -
Create multiple alerts which can alert you at a specific moment... -
Enable clock with countdown, reminder, stopwatch, and desktop s... -
Place favorite Web links, program shortcuts, and widgets on a f... -
Clean up icon clutter on your desktop. -
Set unlimited numbers of alarm clocks on Windows. -
Control the size, position, and layering of windows on your des... -
Arrange windows easily on multiple monitors. -
Get dock with live icon reflections and speed up access to your... -
Set your alarm clock and replace your standard tray clock using... -
Enhance your desktop with different widgets. -
Access and use most commonly used programs. -
Customize the look and feel of the Windows user interface. -
Keep clipped text archived on the Clipboard. - Set wallpaper on computer setups with more than one screen.
-
Give your Windows 7, XP, or Vista cursor a wide range of effect... -
Set timer up to remind yourself of any specific events. -
Create and stick electronic notes on your Windows desktop. -
Expand your clipboard capabilities to perform more actions. -
Wake up/remember important event to your favorite songs. -
Manage and organize your clipboard contents. -
Display a flag or a symbol by your mouse cursor while detecting... -
Personalize your Windows 8 start and lock screens with your own...
-
All versions:
4.1 starsout of 235 votes
-
Current version:
3.9 starsout of 29 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Very good stuff for my laptop"
Version: Yahoo Widgets 4
Pros
Widgets don't start up when computer starts up. I have Vista Home Premium and must manually start my Widgets after my computer starts up.
Cons
widgets is broken again. If you upgrade to version 4, it upgrades many widgets along with it. That means if you have to revert back to 3.1.4, some widgets might not work because they require version 4.
-
"good "all in 1 "accesories for desktop"
Version: Yahoo Widgets 4
Pros
i am recommended this widget coz u got all in one for u're desktop...clock,calendar ,timer,indicator for your RAM,hard disk and anything what u want it..just xplore the stock in yahoo widget store.n u got it...n the expensive thing is it's totally 100% FREE..no hidden charge and make sure change your browser to YAHOO to feel free download this widget..thx.
-
"It killed my inner child"
Version: Yahoo Widgets 4
Pros
Function as was stated for about a week
Cons
I hav had yahoo widgets for about 2 months now and at first everything was great. They did use up quite a bit of RAM but nothing I wasn't prepared for. Up until recently I haven't had a problem, but all of a sudden the yahoo widgets engine started cause errors, the latest on resulting in a rather unexpected rapid shutdown of my windows XP machine. upon restart some of the necessary boot files had become corrupted, and thus I am currently posting this from an old 386 I want and dug out of the garage. At least Slackware comes through in the
-
"Still uses a lot of memory."
Version: Yahoo Widgets 4
-
"The best thing on my PC other than windows"
Version: Yahoo Widgets 4
Pros
I didn't know about it at first. I just thought it was just a memory hogging wannabe program. Well i was wrong. I just got it today and i love it a lot...GO YAHOO!!!
Cons
I liked the name konfabulator better...=]
-
"cool free and fun"
Version: Yahoo Widgets 4
Pros
fun and free
-
"WOW theres so many programs and things you can do!!!"
Version: Yahoo Widgets 4
Pros
Try a widget. If you like it keep it. If not, get rid of it. Simple! Lots to choose from.
Cons
Somewhat overwhelming at first - the variety of things to choose from.
-
"I didn't like this one"
Version: Yahoo Widgets 4
Pros
It had some useful things on it.
Cons
It froze up my computer and about crashed my browser. Would try again if they get all the bugs out.
-
"Solid, has useful widgets"
Version: Yahoo Widgets 4
Pros
Allows me access to useful widgits, has automatic widget updates
-
"Best widget engine I've seen..."
Version: Yahoo Widgets 4
Pros
Works great without slowing down my pc (running xp with intel pentium d) or my mom's laptop (running vista home premium with amd turion 64 x2) no glitches or flaws for either of us and in my opinion yahoo's widgets are easier to use and look better than google's or vista's (being why my mom uses this instead of vista's)...
Cons
...I guess just that there is only maybe one or two widgets that will play window's media rather than itunes.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
