Widgets & Channels back to topics

What are widgets?

Widgets are "mini-applications" that run on the chumby. Check out the assortment of widgets on the Browse Widgets page.

Why are there widgets in my channels that I didn't add?

These are special Chumby Network widgets from Chumby Industries (like tips on how to use your chumby) and from partners with offers on music, games, movie previews, new products, and more. Sharing these promotional widgets with you is how the Chumby Network stays FREE.

If you delete a promotional widget, another one will be delivered in its place.

What are channels?

The channels on a chumby are like channels on a TV: they show a specific "line-up" of programs. The difference is that you choose the programs you want to see, in the order you want to see them, and for the length of time you decide. There is no limit to the number of channels you can create, or the number of widgets you put in a channel.

How do I control the widgets that I see?

  1. To change the widgets that appear, you first need to be a registered user and logged in to www.chumby.com.
  2. Select My Chumby from the top navigation bar and then select My Channels from the dropdown menu.
  3. If you've just logged in, the Default channel will be selected. You can either add widgets to this channel or click on the "add a channel" link to create a new channel.
  4. Click on a category under "categories" and you'll see a list of widgets in the box to the right.
  5. Click on a widget under "widgets" and you'll see a description and preview of that widget to the right.
  6. Click on the Add Widget button and that widget will be added to your channel.
  7. Drag and drop widgets to change their play order. Each widget also has an option to customize, remove or send.
  8. When you're done adding widgets, select My Chumby from the top navigation bar. On the My Chumby Dashboard page is the option to "Select a channel" — choose the channel you just created from the dropdown menu to play it on your chumby.

Can I rearrange the order in which my widgets appear?

Yes. When you're editing a channel, you can drag-and-drop the widgets you've added into any position.

How do I change how long a widget appears?

Each widget has a "customize" link. Click on it to edit the length of time a widget stays up. If the widget has other configurable aspects, they'll also be shown here.

One of the options for length of time is "forever." How "forever" works depends on the widget. Widgets that have the default value of "forever" are usually videos, animations or games. If you start the widget, it will play as long as it needs to until it's completed. If you don't engage the widget, then the next widget will play after 30 seconds has elapsed. In the case of videos, animations or games, "forever" really means "as long as needed to finish."

If a widget's default time is not "forever" but you set it to "forever," then it will actually play forever — it's the equivalent of using the Stay feature on the control panel.

How do I delete the channel called "Default"?

You can modify the widgets in the Default channel but it cannot be deleted or renamed.

I added a widget — why won't it show up?

The chumby checks every 5-10 minutes to see if you've made any changes to the loaded channel. If you've added a widget and it's not appearing, squeeze the top of the chumby to open the control panel and then tap CHANNEL. Highlight the channel you're currently playing and then tap RELOAD to reload the channel. If the widget still won't appear try turning off your chumby and turning it back on.

Why is my chumby stopped on a widget?

Some widgets have a pause feature; check to see if there's a pause/play button on the widget and that it's not on pause.

The Stay button on the control panel stops the chumby on the selected widget. If you tap it, your chumby will stay on the current widget. It's different from "pause" because it doesn't stop the activity on the chumby; instead, it continues to play the one widget you've chosen to stay on.

If the wifi signal is too weak, the chumby may stop on a widget. Try turning your chumby off and then back on.

Is there a maximum number of widgets I can put on a chumby?

There's no limit. The widgets are downloaded from our servers as they're needed, so it's never possible to "run out of room" on your chumby. You can add as many widgets as you want.

Why can't I customize a widget?

All widgets can be customized for the length of time they play, and many have additional options that can be set. If you're using a pop-up blocker, you may need to either turn it off or allow pop-ups from www.chumby.com. Here are instructions to allow pop-ups from www.chumby.com for the most common browsers:

Internet Explorer 6/7

  1. On the main toolbar click on Tools and then select Internet Options.
  2. Click on the Privacy tab.
  3. Under the Pop-up Blocker section, click on Settings.
  4. Under "Address of web site to allow:" type "www.chumby.com" and click on Add.
  5. Click on Close and then click on OK to finish.

Firefox 2

  1. On the main toolbar click on Tools and then select Options.
  2. Click on Content.
  3. Click on Exceptions next to "Block pop-up windows".
  4. Under "Address of web site:" type "www.chumby.com" and click on Allow.
  5. Click on Close and then click on OK to finish.

Safari

  1. On the main toolbar click on Safari and then select Preferences.
  2. Click on Security.
  3. Uncheck the box next to "Block Pop-Up Windows" (Safari does not have a way to allow pop-ups from specific sites, so the pop-up blocker needs to be off.)

Why isn't my chumby playing the channel I selected?

In extreme cases it can take up to a half hour before a new channel appears on your chumby. You can force your chumby to load a new channel at any time by squeezing the top of the chumby to open the control panel, tapping CHANNEL, and then tapping OK.

Why is the chumby showing me a clock?

  • If you load a channel with no widgets in it, it will show a chumby clock.
  • If you've been playing a channel and the chumby reverts to the stock clock, then the network connection was interrupted. You can either turn off and then turn on the chumby to re-establish a network connection or manually reconnect by squeezing the top of the chumby (on the dashed circle) to bring up the control panel. Then tap Settings, tap Network, and re-enter your network information.

How do I send a widget to a friend?

You can send a widget to "chums" who have chumbys or virtual chumbys. Learn all about chums.

Can I put other widgets from other programs on my chumby?

Widgets from such desktop programs as Apple Dashboard and Yahoo Widgets will not run on the chumby. The chumby uses Flash movies.

Are there any security issues with widgets?

The Flash movies that make up a widget on a chumby are no more prone to security risks than any other Flash video that plays on your computer (like those you can find on YouTube).

How do I play a widget I made on my chumby?

Log in and select Widgets > Submit a Widget. You can view the uploaded widget on your own chumby. You can also send your uploaded widgets to your chums.

If you'd like to make your widget public, choose that option on the upload page. User-submitted widgets are placed in the Widget Laboratory category.

If you're a Flash developer, visit the Flash section on the Chumby Wiki.

Are the widgets screened for content?

When you use a chumby, you choose what shows up on it. Many of the widgets use information straight from web sites on the Internet, so some of this content may be more mature in nature than others. Artists and developers may also create widgets with themes that are not appropriate for some teens. If you're concerned about what will appear on a chumby, be sure to educate yourself on the source of the content. CollegeHumor isn't the Weather Channel!