We’ve been hard at work improving a number of features on the XM gadget.  First and foremost is the music search flyout.  There is something about each engine that has changed, with focus on the delivery method, additional information, and style. 

The upgraded music search is currently active.  If you have some trouble seeing it, you may have to clear some temporary files or reboot to make sure everything is working.

Changes:

1) Search and Page Changes:  New Ajax style loading means you’ll know something is happening as you’re loading.  No more static loading for search results beyond the first page.  Additionally, this also helps you switch sections faster as it’s only loading the new data.

2) Ads:  Yes, there are ads, yes, they are more visible now.  We have bills to pay too you know.

3) Amazon Search:  There is a new button called “View Details”, this will give you access to reviews (both editorial and customer), and data about what you’re looking at.

4) eBay Search:  Also has the “View Details” button which gives you auction and seller information.

5) Lyrics Search:  Now has lyrics!  Thanks to the Lyrics Plugin, if there are available lyrics, you will see them, if not, it will default to a Yahoo search which will usually give you what you need as well.

6) Lyrics, Wikipedia, and Yahoo Searches:  Improved character decoding.

7) YouTube Search:  Got an overhaul.  “Watch Video” is now a big button, watching a video is even better than before.  We’re using a chromeless, custom YouTube player for a bigger video picture, advanced controls, and better readouts than the standard embedded video. 

There are a couple more changes to the backend of things, but for the most part, the search should be much improved overall compared to what it used to be.

Let us know if you run into any issues or problems or if you have any comments, concerns, or questions. 

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 at 2:06 pm
and is filed under Gadgets, XM Online Radio.



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