IndieHQ / Article Detail

August 28th, 2007

A World Of Widgets

My former employers over at music social network Haystack have given me the scoop on something pretty cool. In conjunction with Roadrunner Records and web dev company Media River, they have produced a widget that combines a label-approved album stream playlist with video content. Right now the playlist is being “funded” by a label-sponsored iPhone contest, but as this becomes the template for all of the playlists on the site, new advertising revenue will trickle back to the labels.

To see a working sample of the Haystack widget… check out the right hand column.

I firmly believe that widgets (and facebook apps) are a good thing. On the sales tip, what makes widgets really interesting is that there are now commerce-enabled ads that actually allow purchase from within rich media. Instead of dragging the users from what they’re doing on a page, it brings the “point of purchase” directly into the existing user experience. One of the companies that is doing this is Flhame, with their innovative Tailgate product. They call them “transactional banners.” Do yourself a favor and click on the link. A screenshot will not do it justice.

What are the other great widgets for music out there? (Spare me the iTunes, please.)

Written by Bill Wilson