Myriad launches widget solution for low cost mobiles

Bangalore: Myriad, a developer of mobile software, has launched Myriad Dynamic Homescreen, a technology which enables graphical web-based widgets on the cheapest phones in the world. This software is made keeping in mind the number of low cost phones in developing countries like India. "The home screen is becoming a vital differentiator for low cost phones," said Simon Wilkinson, CEO of Myriad. "The simplicity of zero-click or one-click widgets is an important driver of both adoption and usage, creating real advantage for network operators seeking to drive data services growth."

Widgets are small applications that display weather reports, horoscopes, sports scores and other information directly on the mobile phone's home screen, without requiring the user to scroll through menus or search for an application. In wealthier markets such as Europe, mobile widgets have already proven popular on expensive feature phones and smartphones and are being added to an increasing range of mass market phones.

Now mobile phone manufacturers and network operators are eager to extend this success to fast-growing mobile markets like rural India, where the simplicity of mobile widgets is ideal for consumers with little or no internet access. "It is clear that ultra-low cost handsets are the key to mobile services growth in emerging markets, but this segment poses significant challenges to handset manufacturers both in terms of cost and functionality," commented Richard Windsor, Global Technology Specialist, Nomura Securities. "The Myriad Dynamic Homescreen addresses both these issues by providing a way for handset manufacturers to deliver new data services on the most basic mobile platforms."

A key component of Myriad Dynamic Home screen is that its widgets can be updated through a range of data connections, including 3G, GPRS, SMS, and USSD - a basic data service that is compatible with all GSM phones. The ability to receive data via USSD and SMS means that entry-level data services can be delivered to users even in areas with poor coverage.

Myriad has already ported its new widget solution, including 16-bit RTOS and ARM7 100MHz designs across multiple chipset vendors. The software requires less than 500Kb ROM and 500Kb RAM.