Consumers will be able to exchange messages with MySpace friends on their TVs while watching shows, thanks to a social-networking application for TVs jointly launched by MySpace.com, Intel and Yahoo on Wednesday.

MySpace has developed a MySpace Widget, a mini-application that complements TV watching with MySpace's social-networking offerings, such as e-mail and photo viewing. Using the widgets, TV watchers can exchange messages or browse photos on MySpace by activating a widget sitting at the bottom of the TV screen.

The widget was developed by MySpace using an application framework called the Widget Channel, a set of development tools developed jointly by Intel and Yahoo. The aim of the Widget Channel is to develop mini-applications that can complement TV viewing with information from the Internet. For example, a widget could allow users to purchase products advertised on TV from online stores.

With the widget, users won't have to rely on a browser to access MySpace.com. They can receive instant updates of friends' activities directly on their TV screen, without having to refresh a browser. The widget will also let them view their friends' profiles.

Users can access the widget using a remote and type messages for friends with an on-screen keyboard, a MySpace spokeswoman said.

The MySpace Widget was announced ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show, taking place in Las Vegas Jan. 8-11. It will be available on Internet-connected consumer electronics, such as set-top boxes, Blu-ray players and TVs, the companies said. No exact launch date was provided.

The widgets are designed to work with Intel's Intel Media Processor CE3100 system-on-a-chip platform for consumer electronics devices.

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.