Windows SideShow Team Blog

Pre-order Ricavision's VAVE100 at Amazon.com

Want to get your hands on the VAVE100 Windows SideShow-enabled remote control?  It's now available for pre-order through Amazon.com, so you can be one of the first to get it once it's out.

Beta test the Ricavision VAVE100

Ricavision is looking for beta testers worldwide for the much-anticipated VAVE100 Windows SideShow-enabled universal remote control.  Be one of the first in the world to see what all the buzz is about!  Spaces are limited.

If you're interested in participating, click here to nominate yourself: I want to beta test the VAVE100!

- Dan

Don't read English? No problem!

Windows SideShow is a technology used around the world (and, in fact, many of the cool SideShow-enabled devices on the market today are only available outside the US), but most gadgets we've written so far have been provided only in English.  Until now.  It gives me great pleasure to announce, on behalf of the entire Windows SideShow team, support for sixteen new languages for our Microsoft Office Outlook, Microsoft Office PowerPoint Remote, Feed Viewer, and Stocks gadgets!  The supported languages include (in no particular order):

• Japanese
• Simplified Chinese
• Traditional Chinese
• Korean
• German
• French
• Italian
• Dutch
• Spanish
• Swedish
• Portuguese
• Russian
• Turkish
• Danish
• Finnish
• Norwegian

Please note, the language of the gadget you install must match the UI language of Windows Vista you are using; otherwise, the gadget will still appear in English.  Enjoy!

- Dan

What is Windows SideShow? Check out WindowsSideShow.com

If you're new to Windows SideShow and want an overview of the feature, or if you're trying to explain to all your friends what exactly that little LCD on the lid of your laptop does, send them over to WindowsSideShow.com.  Yes, it is just a fancy redirect to the section of the Windows Vista site that explains SideShow, but it's a LOT easier to find! (I mean seriously, do you remember this URL? I don't.)

By the way, while you're there, let us know what other kinds of information you'd like to see on the site.  We've already been able to make a number of specific improvements based on your feedback (see the Windows SideShow row in the Compare Editions table, for example).  Just use the "Contact" link on this blog to let us know your thoughts, or send your feedback to sshowext at microsoft dot com.

- Dan

It's here! Announcing the Windows SideShow Device SDK for .NET Micro Framework v1.4!

We've been saying "It's coming" for a very long while--and now we can officially say, "IT'S HERE!"  On behalf of the entire Windows SideShow team, I would like to announce public availability of the Windows SideShow Device SDK for .NET Micro Framework v1.4.  To those who participated in the beta program, we want to thank you for your feedback and support.  All of us here can't wait to see the innovative and exciting devices that will come to market as a result of this effort.  This is just the first of many Windows SideShow-related releases in our pipeline for delivery in 2008.  While I can't divulge too much information, we think you'll like what you see :)

This SDK release is big for us in many ways; to name a few:

• We've moved up to the .NET Micro Framework 2.0 SP1 release (so make sure you have that installed first!)
• We've added a whole new portrait-oriented QVGA UI (which looks really sleek, if you haven't seen it)
• We've moved over to a completely new PC-side driver, which now adds support for Bluetooth connectivity (which will also be available through Windows Update shortly)
• The Simulator for Windows SideShow is now based upon the .NET Micro Framework's extensible emulator (and, by the way, you can debug your code in Visual Studio while having it communicate with Windows Vista--another new feature for us!)
• 3 new Northern European languages are part of our standard set, bringing the total to 17
• You can now build a device using the "Assigned User Model" (e.g. the device is always paired to a single user, instead of whoever is on the console)

Now, to quell the rumors before they get started: this is not a release targeting Windows Mobile devices.  I know there is a lot of interest out there in seeing Windows SideShow on Windows Mobile...we are working on it.  That's all I'm going to say for now :)

Enjoy!

- The Windows SideShow Team

[ The full download link for the SDK is http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=b877c01d-e80e-4f30-9df9-3a46ec519704&DisplayLang=en ]

New book that covers gadget development using C# and VB.NET

Wrox has recently published a new book by Wei-Meng Lee called Professional Windows Vista Gadgets Programming.  The second half of the book is dedicated to Windows SideShow development using the Windows SideShow .NET Framework Components (beta) release--a.k.a our managed API.  The book is a great introduction to Windows SideShow as well as gadget development, covering the major aspects of the API in C# and VB.NET, as well as the Simple Content Format (SCF).  There's even a comprehensive gadget sample included as well!

Happy readings!

- Dan

 

BenQ Joybook Q41: The third Windows SideShow-enabled notebook

BenQ recently announced their Joybook Q41 laptop, which is the third Windows SideShow-enabled notebook to come to market so far.  There are larger pictures of the unit and its secondary display located over at Laptops Blog.  The Windows SideShow-enabled display is similar to that found on the ASUS W5Fe and LG R200, with the primary addition of a VoIP control gadget, allowing you to control your calls without having the lid open (although the laptop must still be turned on).  We haven't had a chance to play with the final product yet, but we're looking forward to it!

- Dan

Ikanos Consulting's Go Gadgets beta

If you're interested in Windows SideShow technology, and you haven't yet seen what Matt and James at Ikanos Consulting have been up to recently, well, you're missing out.  They've just released Beta 3 of their Go Gadgets software for Windows Mobile, and posted some teasers of SideShow running on an iPhone or iPod Touch.  The latter is a great example of the value Windows SideShow can add to your existing device, regardless of what technology powers it.  All you need is some way to connect back to your Windows Vista-based PC.  You can give the Windows Mobile application a test drive yourself by e-mailing them directly at: beta _at_ ikanosconsulting.com.

- Dan

Logitech G-15 and Z-10 drivers with Windows SideShow support

Logitech has recently released an update to their GamePanel software that adds support for Windows SideShow!  If you have one of the new G-15 keyboards, you can download that software here.  If you have the older G-15 gaming keyboard or Z-10 speakers, there is a public beta release of the software here.  The devices will only allow you to browse through glance data from the gadgets, but it's a really handy addition to these devices.

- Dan

Beta available: Windows SideShow Device SDK for .NET Micro Framework v1.4

Today we've released a beta of the next version of the Windows SideShow Device SDK for .NET Micro Framework (v1.4), and we need your help to test it out!  Among other improvements and fixes, the beta includes:

• New Portrait QVGA UI designed for remote controls
• New Universal driver for Windows SideShow that supports USB and Bluetooth communication
• New Simulator that uses the Universal driver
• New user switching UI for devices operating in the assigned user mode
• New Bluetooth menu commands
• Support for Danish, Finnish, and Norwegian languages

If you'd like to be included in the beta program, just send an email to showsdk@microsoft.com.  While this release is geared towards hardware and device manufacturers, anyone is welcome to participate and provide feedback; no NDA is required.

- Dan

 

IntelliSense for SCF in Visual Studio

Our friend Daniel Moth has written a great article explaining how to get the XML schema for Simple Content Format (SCF) working with Visual Studio's IntelliSense feature.  For those of you who are generating the actual SCF XML yourself, this is a very cool feature that will make it much easier to generate content without having to always refer back to the documentation.

We are aware of some issues with the currently published version of the schema XSD file on MSDN, and are working to have those corrected.  In the mean time, following Daniel's instructions will get you up and running nice and quickly!

- Dan

Dell XPS 420 launches with Windows SideShow-enabled secondary display!

The third Windows SideShow-enabled PC in the market isn't a mobile PC--it's Dell's new XPS 420 desktop!  This powerful machine is sporting a 2.5" QVGA Windows SideShow-enabled secondary display on the top of the case, giving you instant access to control media playback, browse photos, and view RSS feeds, e-mail and much more.  Don't worry about the location of the display; it's on a slight angle and is very accessible from a number of different locations.  Besides, you just bought yourself an XPS, no sense hiding it away!  Now, go get started on coding gadgets for your favorite PC games... :)

This is just the first of many new SideShow-enabled products coming out over the next few months, so stay tuned!

- Dan

New gadgets are available!

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted an update here.  But don't fear--we're still here!  In fact, we've been very busy working away on a whole host of exciting new things, and I'm pleased to be able to share with you the first fruits of that labor: 4 exciting new gadgets! (OK, technically we've released 2 of them before as Betas--but now, they're new and improved final releases!)

• Stocks
• Feed Viewer
• Office Outlook Gadgets (including E-mail, Calendar, Contacts for Outlook 2003 and E-mail, Contacts for Outlook 2007)
  Note: if Outlook is running when you install this gadget, you may need to restart Outlook for it to work.
• Office PowerPoint Remote

So go ahead, download them, install them, and enjoy!  Give us your feedback, as well. We'll be keeping an eye on our discussion newsgroup microsoft.public.windows.sideshow in case you have any questions or comments.

 - Dan

One-stop shop for Windows SideShow development information

Thanks to the wonderful folks who manage the Windows Hardware Developer Central website, we've finally got ourselves a home for all things related to developing gadgets and devices for Windows SideShow!  This is a great one-stop shop with all the major links you need, organized neatly by topic.  The Windows SideShow page on WHDC is always a work in progress, and we'd like to build it into the complete index to all aspects of SideShow development. 

Is there a link that you think is missing, or something you're looking for but can't find?  Send us an e-mail and we'll do our best to get it added.  After all, this is all about making your life easier!

- Dan

Using the Windows(r) SideShow(tm) Trademark

Did you know that "Windows SideShow" is trademarked by Microsoft?  That means there are a lot of rules and requirements around using Windows SideShow in any text, marketing materials, logos, articles, products, etc.  To help you with understanding these arcane rules, we've put together a use guidelines document which describes generally what is allowed and what is not.  For example, you can't actually say "Windows SideShow device", it has to be "Windows SideShow-enabled device," "device for Windows SideShow," or some other variation on that style.

The use guideline document is posted to the Windows Vista Partner Portal, which is accessible at www.windowsvista.com/partner. Note that you do have to complete a brief registration to access this site.  For those who don't wish to register, we've also got a copy available on the Microsoft Intellectual Property webpage for Usage Guidelines: http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/intellectualproperty/trademarks/usage/default.mspx.

A direct link to the document is here: http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/8/5/6852CEA2-BC7A-4AC7-B7E9-99C13BD778C6/WindowsSideShowUseGuidelines.doc

If you have any trademark related questions, please let us know and we'll be happy to forward you to our lawyers :)