What is SaaS?

SaaS (Software as a Service) is an application hosted on a remote server and accessed through the Internet.

A simple and concrete example of SaaS are the "free" email (also called web-based email) systems offered on the Internet such as Microsoft Hotmail, G-mail and Yahoo Mail. Each program meets the basic criteria of an SaaS application: a vendor (Microsoft, Google or Yahoo) hosts all of the programs, logic and data in a central location and provides end users access to this data and the software which is run and used over the world-wide web.

This "simple" application architecture can then be applied to a wide range of software applications for use by either business enterprises or individual end-users.

What are Gadgets?

Gadgets are simple HTML and JavaScript applications that can be embedded in webpages and other apps.

Simple to build

Built-in JavaScript libraries make it easy to create gadgets that include tabs, Flash content, persistent storage, dynamic resizing, and more. Use the Google Gadgets Editor to build gadgets quickly and easily.

Multiple sites

Your gadget can run on multiple sites and products including iGoogle, Google Maps, Orkut, or any webpage. Write your gadget once, and with minor changes it can run in multiple places.

Reach millions of users

Many gadgets are viewed millions of times per week and generate significant traffic for their authors. When users add your gadget to their iGoogle homepage for instance, they'll see your content each time they visit Google.