Yahoo Widgets for Windows

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.

You can start with simple widgets such as weather forecasts, clocks, and calendars. You can also explore more widgets for world time, countdowns, and news feeds. The best part is that you can customize each widget to fit your desktop's look and your personal needs.

Each widget runs on its own, which means if one stops working, it doesn’t affect the others. This ensures that your desktop remains functional and stable, even if a single widget encounters an issue.

For those who create widgets, Yahoo Widgets supports developers with a powerful JavaScript-based API. This allows for the creation of customized and interactive widgets. Developers can easily incorporate text, images, and animations into their widgets. They also have the ability to download web content, manage files, and execute native operating system scripts.

Advanced features like handling database operations with SQLite and creating vector drawings with Canvas are also available. The introduction of WebKit and Adobe Flash support in version 4.5 has further enhanced the capabilities of Yahoo Widgets. These updates enable the development of more complex and interactive widgets, which are also less demanding on computer memory.

Although Yahoo Widgets competes with built-in widget systems like those found in Windows Vista, it is particularly beneficial for users of older operating systems like Windows XP who are seeking modern features. The inclusion of HTML and Flash allows developers to create a wide range of diverse and engaging widgets. However, it maintains strict security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

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.

• Yahoo Widgets 4.5 allows Widget creators to build more awesomeness into their Widgets, including video right on your desktop. 
• Richer, more interactive features can now be built into Widgets, such as games and movie clips. 
• Now you can get more detailed security information about Widget capabilities before you run any new Widget.