Alpha release of new widget - myBalance
This is a very alpha release of a new widget I have been trying to get out for a while now.
Download Link: myBalance_0.01_Alpha.wdgt.zip
This widget will periodically check a bank account you have configured it for, and display the current balance. In this release, only US Bank is supported, however the code for Washington Mutual and for Wells Fargo is complete, just not included. You can configure the title of the widget, to reflect the account, and if you have multiple accounts, you specify the last 4 numbers of the account you want to monitor. The background changes color based on the amount in your account *grin*.
All communications are done directly with the banks, through HTTPS in javascript - none of your information ever goes anywhere else.
Issues that will be resolved in future releases:
- More banks
- Better error handling
- Some sort of automatic update feature
- Storage of access credentials within Keychain
Have fun!
As a side note, part of the reason for my lack of updates lately is that my development speed has been drastically hindered - my only Mac decided to bust both hinges (Powerbook Titanium 550Mhz) - so I am having to develop with it plugged into an external keyboard, mouse, and monitor - not the most conducive to relaxing and programming… but the new GMaps WILL be coming.
October 5th, 2006 at 1:42 pm
HEllo. This little app seems nice. Can you post me when you get the version with Wells Fargo out. That would be very cool. Thanks.
well, I will - but it might take a while, since as I’ve mentioned before, my apple is currently dead… - Lokkju
November 8th, 2006 at 2:27 pm
This myBalance Widget seems very useful but I doubt you will get many people to use it since it involves such highly sensitive information.
Why not get the widget somehow “approved” by the banks that it functions with? Starting with USBank, of course, and maybe even have them offer it on their site as a download. If I downloaded it from their site, I would feel much more comfortable using it.
I’ve worked with banks before, and they are notoriously difficult to deal with. I like programming - not dealing with red tape. If you (or any user) were to speak with a bank about sponsoring the myBalance widget (sponsoring does not neccissarilly mean paying for anything - it can simply mean “approving” it), and they wanted to contact me, that would be fine - but since I make no money off of it, or most of my work, I have no incentive to go to the banks - Lokkju