What is the difference between a widget and a app?

Dream · 11-06-2009, 08:25 AM

Help a n00b out here, what exactly is a widget? Is it the same as an app? Im kind of confused

**RinTinTigger** · 11-06-2009, 08:26 AM

Hey

A widgets streams live content direct on ur phones hpomescreen...like a weather app.
An app ist just a program ...could be also one that dont needs internet!

So every widget is an app, but not every app is a widget

Hope that was correct and helps out!

SoCal65 · 11-06-2009, 08:29 AM

To put it simply, a widget is a small application running on your screen, such as weather, twitter, facebook, etc. It is always running.

A application, which is not a widget, requires you to click on the application's icon to open and run it. You then close it when finished.

Edit: Ninja'd while typing.

Dream · 11-06-2009, 08:35 AM

OK that kind of makes sence. Im coming from a BB Storm2 and I had WB icon on my home screen at all times but it never showed as "running" in the app screen. Facebook was the same way.

**RinTinTigger** · 11-06-2009, 08:37 AM

Well, wif the STORM i think its kinda different. i wouldnt see those WB and FB apps as widgets, theyre programs that just update the homescreen-icon... but thets theory or just philosophy to argue on that

BTW: PWND 'n Ninja'd SoCal65

Dream · 11-06-2009, 08:39 AM

So are these widgets something you want to close or shut off to preserve battery life?

Stigy · 11-06-2009, 08:42 AM

ALSO NOTE: Widgets need to "re-draw" and redownload information every time you hit the home button so its like running that many programs to go home.

If you start to feel the phone slow down I would rid your home screens of some widgets.

SoCal65 · 11-06-2009, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Dream

So are these widgets something you want to close or shut off to preserve battery life?

Every app/widget will use differing amounts of Droid Juice ©™ .

So just try different things and see - you have the freedom to customize your device anyway you want - to do what works for you.

rangerover · 06-18-2010, 12:24 PM

i love widgets. this phone is amazing. i had an iphone and swapped to this one and i am loving it more an more each day. best decision i could have ever made

Darkseider · 06-18-2010, 12:36 PM

People assume that Widgets are a strict progression of cause to effect, but *actually* from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint - it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly... time-y wimey... stuff.