Yahoo acquires Konfabulator

MacRumors · Jul 25, 2005, 07:20 AM

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

Macworld reports that Yahoo has acquired Konfabulator.

Konfabulator is a popular extensible Widget engine which preceded the existence of Apple's Dashboard. Konfabulator widgets provide similar services by pulling information from websites. (gallery of widgets)

Konfabulator was first available for the Mac as a shareware application, but has since been also released as a Windows application. Yahoo plans on using Konfabulator as a way to push information to users and attract traffic to its sites. Following Yahoo's acquisition, Konfabulator will now be distributed freely.

Apple received some criticism on the similarities between Dashboard and Konfabulator. Yahoo's acquisition and distribution of Konfabulator will no doubt increase awareness and interest in Widget technology. Currently, the company plans on continuing development on both the Mac and Windows versions.

MrSugar · Jul 25, 2005, 07:25 AM

Pretty cool that it's free now. I wonder what the price point was? I will probably have to give it a try now that it's under new management.

andiwm2003 · Jul 25, 2005, 07:30 AM

i hope the guy who made it got a lot of cash. after apple "reinventing" his program he certainly deserves it.

Jesus · Jul 25, 2005, 07:33 AM

does this mean that yahoo will start deleloping lots of mac software???

JESUS

daustin · Jul 25, 2005, 07:35 AM

Apple has announced an ALL NEW technology that will be included in the next release of OS X. The new HTML based program can be accessed by users via Safari and is being called Yahoo. This all new Apple technology will allow users to access various bits of information freely from the internet and search for millions of websites around the world.

g4cubed · Jul 25, 2005, 07:37 AM

Wasn't Konfabulator suppose to be making a PC version?
I never was crazy about widgets, from them or Apple.

iMeowbot · Jul 25, 2005, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesus

does this mean that yahoo will start deleloping lots of mac software???

The Yahoo and Pixoria people are actually hinting that the existing Yahoo Dashboard widgets may now fall by the wayside.

iMeowbot · Jul 25, 2005, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g4cubed

Wasn't Konfabulator suppose to be making a PC version?

There has been a Windows version for a while, and a Linux version is supposed to be in the works.

BornAgainMac · Jul 25, 2005, 07:39 AM

I didn't like Konfabulator. Too much screen clutter away on my desktop. And without Expose, it will be really bad with Windows. The idea was good so I hope the developer got paid.

Abstract · Jul 25, 2005, 07:40 AM

Love those widgets, but I agree that I feel a bit sorry for Konfabulator. T'was a good idea, and Apple ripped them off.

Hope Yahoo does something great with the technology on the PC side of things. Everyone should have the option to get Widgetified.

kainjow · Jul 25, 2005, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMeowbot

There has been a Windows version for a while, and a Linux version is supposed to be in the works.

What would be the point of a Linux version? They're a shareware company, they do things to make profit. Making a Linux version (which would have to be OSS) would be profitable how.... ?

Stella · 07:46 AM

Unlike microsoft, Yahoo have put video capability in their Mac version of Yahoo Messenger ( no Audio, and poor frame rates, though ).

A tad off topic - but they do try.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesus

does this mean that yahoo will start deleloping lots of mac software???

JESUS

Why would Linux version have to be OSS?
Answer: No reason what so ever..

There is closed source / commercial software available for linux, you know!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kainjow

What would be the point of a Linux version? They're a shareware company, they do things to make profit. Making a Linux version (which would have to be OSS) would be profitable how.... ?

iMeowbot · Jul 25, 2005, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kainjow

What would be the point of a Linux version? They're a shareware company, they do things to make profit. Making a Linux version (which would have to be OSS) would be profitable how.... ?

Beginning today Konfabulator is free of charge (they are also offering refunds to anyone who registered since version 2.0 was released). The software is being used as a promotional tool for Yahoo now, that's why they would be okay with that.

Chundles · Jul 25, 2005, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kainjow

What would be the point of a Linux version? They're a shareware company, they do things to make profit. Making a Linux version (which would have to be OSS) would be profitable how.... ?

Well, now that it's free I guess they don't care about making any money.

ChrisH3677 · Jul 25, 2005, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kainjow

What would be the point of a Linux version? They're a shareware company, they do things to make profit. Making a Linux version (which would have to be OSS) would be profitable how.... ?

It's an irrelevant question - Yahoo are giving K away free.

chaos86 · Jul 25, 2005, 07:51 AM

I remember konfab! i think it was worse with resources than dash, and was not free, but had the advantages of allowing widgets only on it's dashboard or always on the desktop, users choice, and apparently its easier to write widgets for.

with that ugly widget bar/management system apple put in and the complete cross platformness of konfab I see people going back to konfabulator.

iMeowbot · Jul 25, 2005, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stella

There is closed source / commercial software available for linux, you know!!

Yes, but the overwhelming majority of Linux users are cheapskates

Corporates get it, but the consumer Linux applications market is depressing.

dubbz · Jul 25, 2005, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BornAgainMac

I didn't like Konfabulator. Too much screen clutter away on my desktop. And without Expose, it will be really bad with Windows. The idea was good so I hope the developer got paid.

What clutter? You can hide everything away on a seperate layer, accessible with the click of a button, just like with Dashboard.

simply258 · Jul 25, 2005, 08:00 AM

are people still arguing about the "Apple ripped Konfab off" ? I thought this was discussed to death and shown that Apple had widgets ages ago in a previous OS.

Stella · Jul 25, 2005, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMeowbot

Yes, but the overwhelming majority of Linux users are cheapskates

Corporates get it, but the consumer Linux applications market is depressing.

Borland ported Kylix - which was the Linux version of Delphi. Delphi was an excellent development tool ( Pascal based).

I don't think it ever did well almost casual users.. It did have some problems that would limit itself ( such as being x86 only, built upon winelibs ( which is different from WINE ) which made it feel not like a native Linux application ).

Corel pulled out of Linux desktop applications ( i.e., Corel Office - yet again built upon WineLibs ).

Yep, your right, Linux users want everything free.

rickvanr · Jul 25, 2005, 08:02 AM

The name escapes me, but didn't Apple come out wit something like Konfabulator and Dashboard way back in OS 6? Which was why the creator of Konfabulator could not get a patent, which was also why Apple was able to reincarnate their old technology into Dashboard without worries of getting sued?

mattraehl · Jul 25, 2005, 08:06 AM

Apple sells a Linux version of Shake 4 for $4999

jocknerd · 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iMeowbot

Yes, but the overwhelming majority of Linux users are cheapskates

Corporates get it, but the consumer Linux applications market is depressing.

I run Linux, not because I'm a cheapskate, but because I choose to use my computer the way I want to, not the way some corporation wants me to. Its not about free, its about freedom. Just because you allow others to make decisions for you, I can understand how you don't get it.

By the way, I also have a PowerMac dual 2.0 G5 and an iBook. I bought MS Office for it and will never purchase it again. Open Office does everything I want. Outside of video editing, I can do everything on my Linux box that I can on my Mac.

I'll agree that the vast majority of desktop applications for Linux fall short of apps from Adobe and Apple, but the majority of users can easily get by with those apps for Linux. The reason Adobe hasn't entered the Linux market isn't because Linux users are cheapskates, its because Adobe would have to justify its price for its software against free alternatives. And it can't except among professionals. Why would a home user pay $1000 for Adobe products when they can get 90% of its functionality for free?

Linux users will gladly pay for software if they see value in it.

nitropowered · Jul 25, 2005, 08:44 AM

grrr....

I bought Konfabulator last summer when it was $25. Then the price dropped to $20. Then Tiger came out. Now its free.

I like Konfabulator because you can put the widgets anywhere. In a separate widget screen, on the desktop, below the desktop (inlayed in the desktop, nice for calendars or weather widgets), and top most of everything. Something apple needs to work on.

narco · Jul 25, 2005, 08:50 AM

I think debating the Apple vs. Konfabulator thing would be totally pointless. It's over and done with, and you know the dude from Konfab received a fat check from Yahoo. I'm sure he's not complaining, so none of you should.

Konfab totally blew anyway.

Fishes,
narco.

Jul 25, 2005, 07:20 AM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Yahoo acquires Konfabulator http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif Macworld reports that Yahoo has acquired Konfabulator. Konfabulator is a popular extensible Widget engine which preceded the existence of Apple's Dashboard. Konfabulator widgets provide similar services by pulling information from websites. (gallery of widgets) Konfabulator was first available for the Mac as a shareware application, but has since been also released as a Windows application. Yahoo plans on using Konfabulator as a way to push information to users and attract traffic to its sites. Following Yahoo's acquisition, Konfabulator will now be distributed freely. Apple received some criticism on the similarities between Dashboard and Konfabulator. Yahoo's acquisition and distribution of Konfabulator will no doubt increase awareness and interest in Widget technology. Currently, the company plans on continuing development on both the Mac and Windows versions.

Jul 25, 2005, 07:25 AM	#2
MrSugar macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2003	Pretty cool that it's free now. I wonder what the price point was? I will probably have to give it a try now that it's under new management. __________________ Laptop: Macbook (Black) 2ghz 1gig Desktop: dual 2ghz G5 - dual 23" acd's Toys: 40gig iPod - iSight - airport express -- Fluidvision Design

Jul 25, 2005, 07:33 AM	#4
Jesus macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: On a Higher Spiritual Plane known only to Gods and those who consume large quantities of hallucinogens	does this mean that yahoo will start deleloping lots of mac software??? JESUS __________________ µ

Jul 25, 2005, 07:35 AM	#5
daustin macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Just left of the middle of nowhere.	In other news... Apple has announced an ALL NEW technology that will be included in the next release of OS X. The new HTML based program can be accessed by users via Safari and is being called Yahoo. This all new Apple technology will allow users to access various bits of information freely from the internet and search for millions of websites around the world.

Jul 25, 2005, 07:40 AM	#10
Abstract macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: It's classified.	Love those widgets, but I agree that I feel a bit sorry for Konfabulator. T'was a good idea, and Apple ripped them off. Hope Yahoo does something great with the technology on the PC side of things. Everyone should have the option to get Widgetified. __________________ "Oh, I've always wanted to touch Stanley," signs teacher Fran Zakoor, embracing the kids… ESPN Article, 04/09/2008

Jul 25, 2005, 07:30 AM	#3
andiwm2003 macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Boston, MA	i hope the guy who made it got a lot of cash. after apple "reinventing" his program he certainly deserves it.

Jul 25, 2005, 07:37 AM	#6
g4cubed macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2004	Wasn't Konfabulator suppose to be making a PC version? I never was crazy about widgets, from them or Apple.

Jul 25, 2005, 07:39 AM	#9
BornAgainMac macrumors 68030 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Resident	I didn't like Konfabulator. Too much screen clutter away on my desktop. And without Expose, it will be really bad with Windows. The idea was good so I hope the developer got paid.

Jul 25, 2005, 07:51 AM	#16
chaos86 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: 127.0.0.1	I remember konfab! i think it was worse with resources than dash, and was not free, but had the advantages of allowing widgets only on it's dashboard or always on the desktop, users choice, and apparently its easier to write widgets for. with that ugly widget bar/management system apple put in and the complete cross platformness of konfab I see people going back to konfabulator.

Jul 25, 2005, 08:00 AM	#19
simply258 macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bahrain	are people still arguing about the "Apple ripped Konfab off" ? I thought this was discussed to death and shown that Apple had widgets ages ago in a previous OS. __________________ 17" PowerBook G5; 1.5GHz; 1GB RAM; Bluetooth; Airport Extreme; iSight

Jul 25, 2005, 08:02 AM	#21
rickvanr macrumors 68030 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Brockville	The name escapes me, but didn't Apple come out wit something like Konfabulator and Dashboard way back in OS 6? Which was why the creator of Konfabulator could not get a patent, which was also why Apple was able to reincarnate their old technology into Dashboard without worries of getting sued? __________________ rickdiculous.. mr nike+ < o >

Jul 25, 2005, 08:06 AM	#22
mattraehl macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2005	Linux software does not have to be OSS Apple sells a Linux version of Shake 4 for $4999 __________________ 24" iMac Core 2 Duo 2.4 Ghz 2 GB RAM 12" iBook G4 1.07 Ghz 1.25 GB RAM

Jul 25, 2005, 08:44 AM	#24
nitropowered macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ohio	grrr.... I bought Konfabulator last summer when it was $25. Then the price dropped to $20. Then Tiger came out. Now its free. I like Konfabulator because you can put the widgets anywhere. In a separate widget screen, on the desktop, below the desktop (inlayed in the desktop, nice for calendars or weather widgets), and top most of everything. Something apple needs to work on. __________________ 16GB iPhone 3G Sorry no Macs at this time, unless Apple releases a Netbook.

Jul 25, 2005, 08:50 AM	#25
narco macrumors 65816 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: California.	I think debating the Apple vs. Konfabulator thing would be totally pointless. It's over and done with, and you know the dude from Konfab received a fat check from Yahoo. I'm sure he's not complaining, so none of you should. Konfab totally blew anyway. Fishes, narco.

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