Vodafone launches widget distribution tool

Vodafone has launched a new tool designed to allow mobile developers to distribute Vodafone widgets to up to a million of its customers.

The firm's Betavine research and development lab has added the new functionality through its Betavine Widget Zone site.

Developers can upload their widgets to the Widget Zone, and then use the Vodafone Widget Manager Beta (WMB) as a distribution channel to reach Vodafone customers, according to the firm. Vodafone WMB is a free application available from Vodafone Live.

The application is currently compatible with 10 S60 handsets across the UK, Spain, Germany and Italy, with South Africa due to launch next month. Vodafone estimates the potential audience to be around one million customers.

The Betavine Widget Zone features a new tutorial on how to build widgets from scratch, and the terms and conditions under which widgets will be accepted for distribution.

Vodafone's Betavine arm recently launched a competition inviting developers to vie for a chance to win £20,000 by creating a new mobile widget. The deadline for entries is the end of April.