25 February 2009

Simple Texting Example Widget
Twitter Client For S60 5th Edition Devices

The STEW (Simple Texting Example Widget) is an open source widget example created by folks over at Forum Nokia to illustrates how to create a simple widget that follows the layout and navigation guidelines for S60 devices.

The Simple Texting Example Widget (STEW) allows users to use a free social networking and micro-blogging service called Twitter on mobile devices. Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

STEW allows its users to answer on Twitter site's fundamental question and to send and read other users' updates (known as tweets), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length.

This can be, in its most simplistic form, a one or two word answer, but when developed this is a tool that lends itself to developing understanding and potentially starting collaboration.

Status updates are displayed on the users' profile pages and delivered to other users who subscribe to them. Users can receive status updates through the Twitter Web site, SMS, RSS, e-mail, or an application such as Twitterrific, Facebook, or this example widget.

When users start STEW for the first time, the Login view opens. Users enter their credentials in the Username and Password fields. They can store the credentials on the device for later use.

STEW Login view	STEW Update Status view

Users can use the Search view to search Twitter for usernames or status updates by typing in a search string and selecting the Find button and use the Settings view to define the default page to open when STEW starts and to change the login Remember Me setting

STEW Search view	STEW Settings view

Unlike other translation services such as Babel Fish, AOL, and Yahoo which use SYSTRAN, Google uses its own translation software.

This example illustrates
the following widget design principles:

• Designing for the 240 x 320 and the 360 x 640 screen size in both portrait and landscape mode.

• Designing for touch devices and providing tactile feedback for selections.

• Determining the type of the device that the widget runs on and displaying content appropriately. For example, depending on screen size and touch support.

• Moving between controls on a page and between views.

• Using soft keys and creating an options menu.

• Handling user input from screen controls, such as text fields and check boxes.

• Storing user data for future use.