Widget vs. App

[lestejm]

Whats is the difference, if any, from running a program from the widget or app menu. for instance, I recently downloaded Handcent, I put the icon on my main screen using the pull up app list. I went to check the widgets and there was a short cut in there for it too. Is there any difference or benefits running one opposed to the other?

 

[jacestone40]

In this case the widget just gives you a indication you have missed a incoming text. since I text alot it comes in handy

 

[jstafford1]

Widgets are active while app shortcuts as passive. If you have a lot of widgets on your screen it can drain the battery as they are pulling data at some set frequency. Some you can adjust how often they pull, others you can't.