APPLICATION GADGETS AND REMOTE CONTROL DEVICES
Application gadget techniques are described. In an implementation, a remote control device includes a display device and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to initiate one or more control functions related to control of a display of content by a client. The one or more modules also provide an environment to execute one or more application gadgets such that an output of the one or more application gadgets is displayable on the display device.
1 . A method comprising:
outputting an electronic program guide (EPG), by a client device, that is broadcast by a network operator and which includes a notification that an application gadget is available; and
receiving an input at the client device from a remote control device associated with the client device that involves interaction with the notification and that causes installation of the application gadget on the remote control device.
2 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the notification relates to one or more television programs represented within the electronic program guide.
3 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the remote control device:
is configured to initiate one or more control functions of the client device to control an output of content at the client device;
is configured to execute the application gadget; and
includes an integral display device that is suitable to display an output from the application gadget.
4 . A method as described in claim 3 , wherein the input is received by the client device from the remote control device via a local network connection.
5 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the application gadget is a software component that runs in a context of a service such that the application gadget is not executable outside of the context.
6 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the application gadget is configured as a widget that is a downloadable interactive tool that is configured to download data over a network connection for output on the remote control device.
7 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the application gadget is configured to provide an output for display on a display device of the remote control device.
8 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the application gadget is a web gadget which causes the remote control device to interact with a web site.
9 . A method as described in claim 1 , wherein the application gadget relates to output of television programs that are broadcast by the network operator.
10 . A method as described in claim 9 , wherein the application gadget is executable to:
identify one or more television programs that are currently available for output by the client device;
search a webpage of electronic program guide listings and content that is recorded on the client device; or
provide a list of top-rated content, the list being accessible to the client device via a network connection.
11 . A remote control device comprising:
a display device; and
one or more modules implemented at least partially in hardware and configured to:
cause an input to be transmitted to a client device to select a notification displayed as part of an electronic program guide (EPG) that is displayed by a client device, the EPG broadcast by a network operator and the notification indicating that an application gadget is available;
receive the application gadget that corresponds to the notification; and
install the application gadget for execution on the remote control device to display data on the display device.
12 . A remote control device as described in claim 11 , wherein the one or more modules are configured to initiate one or more control functions of the client device to control an output of content at the client device.
13 . A remote control device as described in claim 11 , wherein the input is transmitted to the client device from the remote control device via a local network connection.
14 . A remote control device as described in claim 11 , wherein the application gadget is a software component that runs in a context of a service such that the application gadget is not executable outside of the context.
15 . A remote control device as described in claim 11 , wherein the application gadget is configured as a widget that is a downloadable interactive tool that is configured to download data over a network connection for output on the remote control device.
16 . A remote control device as described in claim 11 , wherein the application gadget is received by the remote control device from a service via the client device such that the remote control device does not communicate directly with the service.
17 . A remote control device as described in claim 11 , wherein the application gadget is received from a service and not via the client device such that the remote control device communicates directly with the service.
18 . A gadget service implemented using one or more computing devices, the gadget service configured to communicate an application gadget via a network for installation and execution by a remote control device associated with a client device, the remote control device configured to initiate one or more control functions of the client device relating to consumption of broadcast content, availability of the application from the gadget service being indicating using a notification displayed as part of an electronic program guide (EPG) by the client device, the notification selectable to cause the gadget service to perform the communication.
19 . A gadget service as described in claim 18 , wherein the application gadget is a software component that runs in a context of a service such that the application gadget is not executable outside of the context by the remote control device.
20 . A gadget service as described in claim 18 , wherein the application gadget is configured as a widget that is a downloadable interactive tool that is configured to download data over a network connection for output on the remote control device.