My Yahoo Adds Calendar, Netflix Modules

Yahoo is expanding offerings on its My Yahoo custom page service, adding Calendar and Netflix modules to the service's current beta.

Yahoo has long offered its My Yahoo service, which offers customized pages tailored to the interests of individual users. The basic idea is that users construct their own pages based on modules—which were sort of precursors to today’s “widget” or “gadget” buzzword. One module might display weather information, another might pull stock quotes, others might display news headlines, another might keep tabs on a user’s Yahoo Mail, and another might pull in comics or television listings. The last major revision to My Yahoo enabled users to tap into RSS feeds via modules.

Developers on the current beta version of My Yahoo are adding a series of new modules, including a Calendar module which finally enables users to see events and tasks over multiple days without having to leave their My Yahoo page. However, perhaps most interesting is a new Netflix modules which enabled Netflix users to view and manage their movie queue and see upcoming DVD releases. The Netflix module builds off a Netflix API, and may represent a first step in the company’s strategy to offer services integrated with other high-profile Web properties, and also a foot-in-the-door for Web browser real estate as the company begins to build its online video-on-demand service.

The modules are rolling out to beta My Yahoo users; existing users can upgrade to the new My Yahoo beta via the Yahoo Web site.