IGoogle
 |
|
| Developer(s) | |
|---|---|
| Initial release | May 19, 2005 |
| Development status | Discontinued on November 1, 2013. |
| Platform | Web browsers |
| Type | Web Gadgets |
| Website | www |
iGoogle (formerly Google Personalized Homepage) was a customizable Ajax-based start page or personal web portal launched by Google in May 2005. It was discontinued on November 1, 2013 because the company believed the need for it had eroded over time. As of 17 October 2007[update] Google had made the service available in many localized versions in 42 languages, and in over 70 country domain-names. In February 2007, 7.1 million people used iGoogle. In April 2008, 20% of all visits to Google's homepage used iGoogle. On July 3, 2012 Google announced iGoogle would be discontinued on November 1, 2013.
iGoogle gadgets interact with the user and use the Google Gadgets API. Some gadgets for Google Desktop can also be used within iGoogle. The Google Gadgets API is public and allows anyone to develop a gadget for any need.
The API allows developers to create widgets (web plugin, portlet, webpart) to run in users' iGoogle pages or other web pages quickly and easily. Users have the ability to add a gadget to their iGoogle portal, or have it coded into their own website, by specifying a URL (this may be done indirectly via the gadget registry). Users will appear in the registry if the gadget has been submitted to iGoogle). iGoogle Gadget is the part of Google Gadgets API.
The gadget is rendered as an iframe. Security constraints will be present, preventing users from damaging the portal and other gadgets. Users communicate with other gadgets via a remote call to a common third party server.
Google also allows all users to create a special gadget that does not require the use of the Gadgets API. The gadgets are designed to be shared with friends and family. The special gadgets must be created using an online wizard and must belong to one of the following types:
Some of the developer-made gadgets include:
There is a "You might also like" gadget where you can look at similar gadgets you already have.
...
Wikipedia