Access Co, a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile and beyond-PC markets, has announced the official opening of its NetFront Browser Widgets Community site, which it describes as a comprehensive widget solution for mobile handsets and consumer electronics.
The NetFront Browser Widgets Community Site is available in both English and Japanese, and includes widgets, developer tools, widget players and news. A mobile version of the site has been launched in conjunction with the official opening.
Widgets are small applications displayed in small GUI windows on the screen of a handset or consumer electronic device. Widgets are appealing to users because they can be accessed without having to open the handsets browser, automatically acquiring and displaying the latest information from the Web. The NetFront Browser Widgets Community Site provides a variety of widget applications, such as maps, weather forecasts and games.
Opening the official NetFront Browser Widgets Community Site is another step forward in realising Access vision of connecting every device to the Internet, says Access CEO, Toru Arakawa. By stepping up the development of leading-edge technologies and solutions for new mobile and integrated device markets, Access will help to create fulfilling digital lifestyles for users around the world.
A beta version of the NetFront Browser Widgets Community Site was launched in July 2008. The official site expands on the beta version with widget content development tools, new widget players, new widget content distributed by Access content providers, and a mobile version of widget download site.
Access says it has released its widget content development tools for the purpose of promoting an open widget community. The tools are available free of charge to all registered users, enabling people who develop widget content to distribute it to the world.
The new widget players include one for Windows Mobile 5.0 (Smartphone) and Windows Mobile 6 and 6.1 (Standard), plus one for S60 handsets. These joiin the existing players for Windows Mobile 5.0 (Pocket PC/Pocket PC Phone) and Windows Mobile 6, 6.1 (Classic/Professional), which were released in July and subsequently upgraded. All players now feature widget content update and harmful content filtering functions, enabling users to enjoy widgets in a secure environment.
On the content front, Access is collaborating with content providers,  including search engines, social networking services and e-commerce sites, to distribute new widget content.
Finally, the mobile version of the widget download site complements the official opening of the community site. The mobile site is available in English at www.access.co.jp/nfbwc/mobile/en/ and in  Japanese at: www.access.co.jp/nfbwc/mobile/jp/
The NetFront Browser Widgets community site is available on PCs in English here and in Japanese here.