Microsoft demos SideShow-enabled products at WinHEC

Microsoft seems to have big plans for their SideShow auxiliary display technology -- besides the laptop and remote control implementations we've been expecting, they're also using the software for products that we didn't even know we needed, such as digital photo frames that overlay the picture with IMs and Outlook data. The frame, which is being manufactured by a company called A Living Picture, was one of three devices that Microsoft's senior project manager for Windows Client Greg Graceffo showed off at today's Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC), along with a modified Logitech G15 gaming keyboard and a universal remote from Exceptional Innovations. EI's remote, which will launch at the same time as Vista (whenever that is), looks particularly promising, as it allows the user to view program guides, RSS feeds, and other infoswag on the same gadget that can control both home theater equipment and home automation devices. As for the keyboard, well, keep reading if you're interested in seeing what an Outlook appointment looks like on a three-line LCD...

[z @ May 23rd 2006 6:15PM]

how dreadful to have ms-enabled objects like that, when will they do the side-show enabled nappies? let us be free of this corporate scheme to dominate the world! ;-)

[rafa @ May 23rd 2006 6:17PM]

i cant wait till tehy make a damn flash based interface for PocketPC to use the Sideshow feature, WITH MCE capabilities!

[dave95 @ May 23rd 2006 6:54PM]

Where is the Intel inside stikers plastered all over the frame? Or windows enabled, or the mail-in rebate.....?

[Razib Ahmed @ May 23rd 2006 7:02PM]

This looks to be very interesting and most probabaly it will get a lot of fans as we all love pictures.
What makes me happy is that Microsoft has come forward to introduce 'pay as you go' PC in which the consumers will have to pay on a pre paid basis like they pay for mobile phone in developing countries like INdia (http://www.southasiabiz.com/2006/05/after_prepaid_mobile_phone_now.html). SO, most probably Indians will be able to enjoy slide show enabled products.

[Bruce @ May 23rd 2006 7:25PM]

As LCD monitors (or maybe e-paper) become cheaper and cheaper, people will use them to replace paper objects like posters and calendars and photos.

This is cool.

[Jesse Grindeland @ May 23rd 2006 8:26PM]

Greetings! Wanted to send a quick post about A Living Picture plc. We have been working hard behind the scenes with Microsoft to build a state of the art digital photo frame, based on Windows CE, that is leaps and bounds ahead of anything in the market today and able to easily incorporate new and exciting technologies like Windows SideShow. For more information about the product feel free to drop me a line. [e-mail]

[DJ @ May 23rd 2006 9:13PM]

I bought my wife a Westinghouse digital photo frame for Mother's Day. She took it into her office and within a week, 4 other people had gone out to buy one. This is a product area that has unlimited potential at the right price, with ease of use and a major name like MS backing it up. Plus, you have to figure most of the R&D work was paid for by all the large scale digital frames the Bill has scattered throughout his manse in Seattle....(I heard that if walks into a room, pictures that he likes appear. If Melinda walks into a room, pictures that she likes appear. If they are both in the room, pictures SHE likes appear. Guess we know who wears the pants in that house...)

[Joe @ May 24th 2006 10:07AM]

DJ - Husbands learn very quickly that their happiness hinges upon their wife's, tax brackets don't change that.

Neat product I guess. If combined with an AI controller that follows what you're doing on the computer and attempts to display images that match the mood of your actions it could prove amusing.

Anyone else find it interesting that the president of the company posted (trolls aside)?

[Julie Jacobson @ May 24th 2006 11:00AM]

I have updated the story with some better pictures and a little more info.
Check back if you're interested. http://www.cepro.com/news/editorial/11753.html

[Jarno Peschier @ Jul 31st 2006 7:32AM]

I've been wishing for years for something like multi-functional embeddable small displays, maybe in the form of an extra Bluetooth profile enabling capabilties query (size/resolution/color depth/etc.) and being able to put images onto it. Just think about it: my digital watch (SPOT or otherwise), my cell phone, the bitmap panel on my car dash and some display embedded in my bathroom mirror (just to name a few) would all support this profile and my media player, cell phone/PDA, etc. would all be able to use it to show status info and notifications. Wow...

[mostafa mirabian @ Sep 2nd 2007 9:40AM]

dear sirs,
please send us your catalogues and magazines of your product,mainly related to home automation.



thank you