Windows Media Center Gadgets for SideShow finally released

This release may have been a bit more important had it been done back when SideShow had a chance of being viable, but now that the technology is all but forgotten, we aren't too sure that many of you will be able to take advantage. At any rate, those still looking for more ways to utilize those SideShow-enabled wares can download the Windows Media Center Gadgets for Windows SideShow application today, which is conveniently available in both 32- and 64-bit versions. Media Center users can tap into a SideShow-enabled remote, for example, to browse the TV program guide (as well as schedule recordings and the like), sift through your playlists, browse pictures / play slideshows and get a glimpse of what's currently playing in Media Center. Hit the read link and give it a go -- if any of you out there even have the hardware to take advantage.

[Via On10, thanks Ian]

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 25th 2008 12:59AM]

I wouldn't say SideShow is all-but-forgotten. Microsoft's game plan was to wait until about half way through Vista's lifespan to proliferate SideShow devices. SideShow is still just too expensive for the mass market.

The delay of Windows Mobile integration was a big setback, but that is now out as well...

I think that Windows 7 will be Microsoft's big push for SideShow, with Windows Mobile 7 coming with the platform pre-installed on all devices.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 25th 2008 1:05AM]

Also, to clarify my last comment... I forgot to mention that Microsoft's plan changed when Windows 7 interrupted the Windows Vista lifespan.

Hence, Microsoft is holding off on the push for ISVs and OEMs to integrate the hardware. Also, now that Windows Mobile is going to have SideShow integration... the need for miscellaneous gadgets to have SideShow is undermined.

[Godfail Posted Oct 25th 2008 10:32AM]

Also worth noting that there are quite a few touch screen enabled HTPC enclosures out there that could make use of this right now.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 25th 2008 12:07PM]

I didn't think that you could use this for the touch screens embedded in my HTPC. In fact, I have heard just the opposite. I would love to get my touch screen to be able to do something, anything, other than remind me how much I spent on it and not have a purpose.

[orbital Posted Oct 28th 2008 1:59PM]

absolutely. I would love to have side show on a little touchscreen, or a little screen with buttons for using media center without having to turn on the plasma (space heater) TV. same for having a remote really.

I'll be trying turning my obsolete, off the carrier Treo 700w into a remote today with any luck.

[kyouteki Posted Oct 25th 2008 11:05AM]

I really think that Microsoft missed a great opportunity with integrating SideShow really tightly with Windows Server 2008 and some nice status-monitoring gadgets - I think 2U servers and bigger would be really awesome with a small SideShow display on the front of the server, allowing for some monitoring without breaking out RDP or a KVM.