One new feature of Windows Vista is the introduction of ‘Gadgets’ (Mac users may already know them as Widgets). These are mini-applications that live on the Windows desktop.
So why is this important? Because it enables brands to have a presence right on a user’s computer desktop.
If an organisation provides a useful Gadget to the user, such as displaying the latest news, offers, live video and commentary, or product information; the user will choose to install that Gadget. The user sees the Gadget on their desktop every time they switch on their PC, and forms an association between the useful information provided by that tool and the organisation’s brand.
The number of methods by which we can access information from the web is increasing all the time, and this is another one of those methods. An organisation can display summarised content from their website directly to the user’s desktop. The user does not have to open a web browser to see this content, but at the same time is more likely to visit the main website, so the Gadget acts to drive traffic.
The opportunities for marketing with Gadgets are huge. Microsoft claims that “In the first month of Windows Vista’s general availability, sales exceeded 20 million licenses”.
Here in Team Digital we are always looking for new ways to use technology creatively for the promotion of client brands.
