RefreshingApps.com

This is the first of a series of three promotional AIR desktop widgets reviews. Ad agencies are now taking flash sites and adapting them for the desktop using Adobe AIR, in the process naming them desktop widgets. Not sure I totally agree with the terminology but hey, if it gets the users excited and engaged about the launch of a film, event or product then it’s got to be a good thing.

The AIR runtime allows for a more engaging user experience than just browser delivered content. There is the option of allowing the AIR widget to launch on system startup so the users have immediate viewing of new and updated content, without having to go to the site in a browser.

By adding more social aspects to these AIR widgets and the blurring of the web and the desktop we are starting to see a shift in the way clued up companies are engaging with their audience.

This particular AIR widget is for Kawasaki Racing in the USAsponsored by Monster Energy.

It’s the quick and easy way to get all the Monster Energy Kawasaki racing news and photos.

One thing I immediately liked was that they offered a video demo of simple instruction on how to get the AIR widget up and running. This is especially useful if their target audience was not likely to have AIR to begin with.

The widget features the usual collation of videos, photos and news headlines plus race schedules.

Another nice touch is you can opt to share the widget with your friends etc.

Design eye

AIR is great for these desktop widgets due to the custom chrome ability. This enables the designers to get a real closely branded experience that stands out.

However we seem to have travelled back in time with the extremely small fonts used. I know I’m getting older but I still think it’s a major issue if you have to strain to see content.

You can change the rider displayed at the top of the widget, would have been nice to use some smooth transitions between changes here.

The side draw is closable and if you hunt closely there is a small view (?!) available for certain content areas. Why this is not up on the top menu where you would expect it I’m not sure.

Bizarrely the minimise functionality didn’t animate like other windows in OS X into the dock it just disappeared.

Technical eye

Built using Adobe Flash and the Adobe AIR.

In summary

An interesting widget with some good points and some bad points that you can learn from if you ever develop and AIR widget. If you like following the Kawasaki racing team then all the better.