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Omnimo: desktop Windows given fashion makeover with Phone 7 Series flair
Can't wait for Windows Phone 7 Series, but can't hack the emulator, either? Don't lose hope, Windows junkies -- you can still bring some semblance of WP7S order into your life with this Metro UI-inspired desktop HUD. Based on the open-source desktop customization platform Rainmeter, the "Omnimo UI" will overlay your desktop with a minimalist, tiled interface not unlike the one you've been drooling over for weeks, with live hooks into many useful services (including Gmail, iTunes, Steam, Twitter and SpeedFan) as well as the usual widgets and a host of program shortcuts. The best news of all? It's available now for all versions of Windows since XP, completely free of charge; simply follow the source links or flit over to Lifehacker, where good folks will teach you how it's done.
Halo HUD all up in your desktop
(click to Scarab-size) Ever dreamed of seeing the computer world through the eyes of a Spartan? What's that? You woke up just this morning after dreaming of that exact thing? Cast your worry aside then, friends, as Lifehacker reader rykennedyan has created exactly what you've been waiting for in the Halo desktop HUD. Based in the Rainmeter customizable resource application for Windows -- albeit with an expected, fancier skinning -- 'rykennedyan' has personalized each detail of the HUD to access various Windows apps. Looking for Steam? Click each grenade type for various programs. Wondering what orchestral choir music with a rocking guitar solo is playing at the moment? Peer just over the health bar for all the pertinent details. How about a totally rad, interactive desktop featuring a Halo theme? Oh, right, well, we see you've already got one of those.
