1. An electronic device assembly configured for operation in a network, the device assembly comprising: a processor; a user interface; a network interface through which are received a plurality of widget programs; and a memory having computer program code executable by the processor embodied therein, the computer program code including: a control panel module including: a widget player operative to facilitate execution of the plurality of widget programs; a widget manager module capable of predefining a sequence of execution of the plurality of widget programs in response to instructions received via the user interface; a utilities layer comprised of a plurality of client software modules accessible to said widget player; and a device operating system.