Social network MySpace has teamed up with Yahoo and Intel to provide a new TV applications framework called Widget Channel that allows users to interact with their MySpace network directly from their TV.
Users can also receive dynamic updates of profile activity, helping to extend their MySpace experience beyond the browser and making the traditional TV experience more social. MySpace is the first social network to offer this functionality for its community and is using MySpaceID to create the TV Widget.
“We’re giving our users an entirely new way to easily enjoy, share and access MySpace content through the new MySpace experience for TV,” says Jason Oberfest, MySpace’s vice president of business development and general manager of MySpaceID. “We believe in our open platform that delivers interactive, social applications, and by empowering our users to access their MySpace network while also enjoying TV, we continue to provide new and unique ways keep them engaged and connected.”
The new Widget will allow users to:
- Receive Friend Updates
- Read and respond to Messages
- Receive Friend Request notifications
- See friends’ Status and Mood updates
- Publish personal Status and Mood updates
- Browse photos
- Browse profiles
The Widget Channel’s dock mode means users can quickly gain access to the MySpace Widget at the bottom of their TV screens. The MySpace dock is a place for users to keep updated on notifications, with links to “My Profile”, “Messages”, “Friend Requests” and “Status Updates.” Users can open the MySpace sidebar for more information when updates are received by clicking on an icon.
Once a user clicks on an icon in the MySpace dock, a sidebar is opened on their TV screen. The sidebar is an expanded interface where users can interact with MySpace in a richer environment. It sidebar allows users to navigate all functionality of the widget and is organized in a familiar, friendly way to MySpace users. The Widget lets users update their status and mood, view friend requests, read and respond to messages, receive friend updates, and browse profiles and photos.
