Microsoft Vista gadgets are a new thing. Imagine a sidebar that is about 2 inches wide on the right side of the desktop screen of all Microsoft Vista users. These users can pick and choose what gadgets they want in there. Like a clock, calculator. Gadgets can use live feeds so you can have a gadget that shows the daily news headlines or stock prices. Gadgets can also be automatically updated. So if you release a gadget then you come out with version 2.0 of your gadget you can update your pre-exisiting users.
Microsoft expects 200 million Vists users within 2 years. If you get 1% of those users to be interested in your gadget and download it you are talking about having real estate on 2 million computer desktops. Now do you understand why everyone is interested in this?
Currently there are few gadgets out there. It is easy to stake a claim and become the incumbent force. Don’t wait too long since sites like http://www.gadgetspark.com are building gadgets for anybody with $600. If you have a business and dont know how gadgets can help you, I am going to offer my brainstorming ability. Just post your details in the comments and I’ll respond with what I would do.
I’m sort of surprised to not see any follow up here after the action in IRC during the show.. I already have my gadget, plan on making more.. They do drive traffic.. I guess I should keep my mouth shut and keep developing more opportunities.. And 3 weeks after I stepped down from my web company.. *sigh*
Lets Brain Storm together!
Please give me a gadget idea for my site which displays home rental listings for property managers.
Thanks.
I’d be interested in what you’d think about a “fun” video/joke site we run:
http://www.smirkingloon.com
Love the show Greg, I listen to the basics cast weekly to keep myself “honest” so to speak.
Just listened to this week’s GoodKarma. I must say this was definitely one of the most exciting shows yet. Since no one else has taken you up on this offer, I thought I would throw out a site that I have just bumped up future plans for.
GreenistheNewPink.org “Making Cooling the Earth Hot” is an environmental “green” blog currently hosted on blogger. I’m in the process of switching to using WP as a CMS and expanding to a full site, with a store and forums. The obvious idea would be to have a weather and/or green tips Gadget…
What do u think?
Hi Liam,
For a fun joke/video site how about a joke of the day gadget that also has a drop down list to the sections of your site. Or maybe a gadget that runs a daily contest for you, show a funny picture and ask people to submit the funniest tagline, winner gets $100.
Hi Drew,
For a global warming/environmental site I would think maybe a daily tip on how to save energy or the current uv warning or a carbon counter (that counts the carbon being released into the environment) or (not even sure this is possible) a real wattage meter of the users computer.
good luck and thanks for the compliment if you have any suggestions on how i make the show better and more useful just let me know
cheers
Hi Greg - just listened to the podcast while skiing this weekend. Emailed myself from the chairlift so I wouldnt forget about your offer. Anyway - this seems like a great idea. Would love to hear an idea for our site - www.stockpins.com We sell all sorts of lapel pins (awareness ribbons, biker pins, etc) plus personalized golf accessories. Any ideas appreciated
Thanks
Pinonda
hi pinonda,
in the future be more careful and dont risk dropping your blackberry from ski lift, i’d hate for you to lose it:)
for awareness ribbons come up with a gadget that displays a nice picture for each special day (like a nice red ribbon for aids awareness day, pink for breast cancer awareness day etc) also provide a drop down list so people can find upcoming awareness days and of course add a link for people to buy the ribbons. you may even want to add a link that they could download a free screensaver or background image that is specific to each awareness day. for all the people that want to be up to date on all of those special days you can help them and of course promote your site at the same time.
as for the other pins, do a pin of the day gadget. as you know there are many pin collectors out there and if you highlight a nice different pin each day (which of course you would give a 10% discount for that one day) you could tap into that pin collectors market very nicely.
Hi Greg - thanks for the ideas. I think the Awareness Month reminder gadget is a great idea. I’ll probably give that one a try first. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Love the show by the way - keep them coming. Send me your snail mail address and I’ll send you a pin or two! Thanks again.