An approach is provided for associating applications, such as widgets. Presentation of one or more icons representing respectively one or more widgets is initiated. An input signal is detected in response to a user selecting the one or more widgets. A determination is made of a common action for application to the selected widgets based on the input signal. The application includes a data component relating to combinability of the one or more widgets. In one embodiment, state information about a first application (e.g., widget) is generated. Reporting of the state information is provided to a presence service for access by a second application (e.g., widget).