The Windows Media Center Gadgets for Windows SideShow are now available on the Live Gallery site. These are Vista-only, as the Media Center API’s have changed in Windows 7.

Download the gadgets (32-bit)
Download the gadgets (64-bit)

Here’s a video of the gadgets in action:

I’ve often thought that showing SideShow gadget data as part of a screensaver would be a great idea. Potentially, the screensaver could rotate through SideShow gadget glance data when the machine was idle and also support using the arrow keys to fully navigate the gadgets.

I’d like to hear if anyone else finds this intriguing or has feedback.

The Windows SideShow Bitmap Driver is now available on CodePlex. Complete source and documentation is available for download. This is more targeted at device manufacturers than gadget developers, but it does include a test application that can be used as a SideShow simulator. This is also useful as a source code example of a full SCF parser and renderer.

Project Description:

This solution renders pages on a computer and sends bitmap images to the SideShow-compatible device, so the device can be lower cost. You can extend a button-based sample user interface that is included to support touch or other features. This solution allows SideShow functionality to be easily adapted to existing, in-market hardware, in many cases without any hardware modifications. This solution differs from other SideShow solutions. Typically, the SideShow device would parse and render the SCF content. In contrast, the Windows SideShow Bitmap Driver is doing the parsing and rendering. Because the computer renders the UI, the device does not have access to offline content when the computer is off.

I’ve updated the gadget again. It now uses a more robust library for getting data from the Armory site and WoWHead (for item details). I’ve tweaked the layout a bit also. I have additional features planned that I’m waiting to announce along with a new Windows SideShow device. I’ll have pics and more details as soon as everything is publicly announced.

Download the gadget

I’ve fixed some bugs with the WoW Armory gadget and updated it to work with the latest changes to the WoW Armory website.  The new version number is 1.0.4.  As always, please let me know if you encounter any issues with the gadget.

Download the gadget

That’s right, the long-awaited Windows Media Center gadgets are now available for public consumption. 

You’ll need a Windows Live account to download them via the Microsoft Connect site. 

More details are available over on the official Windows SideShow blog.

4 gadgets are included with this beta that allow you to:

• Browse the TV Guide and schedule recordings. Browse Recorded TV by thumbnail.
• Browse your music library and control music playback.
• Browse Picture and Video libraries.
• View “now playing” information and control Media Center with playback controls.

Screenshots coming soon!

SideShow Jim has just released his new Windows Live Messenger gadget.

Check out the announcements on the MSDN SideShow forum and on SideShow Jim’s blog.

Download link

You can use the Feed Viewer gadget to get all the posts (including texts and pictures) from this blog and have it displayed on your SideShow device.  Here’s how:

1. Subscribe to the RSS feed for this site in Internet Explorer
2. Install the Feed Viewer gadget from the Live Gallery
3. Open the SideShow Control Panel
4. Click on the Feed Viewer gadget name
5. There should be a checkbox labeled “Ed’s SideShow Gadget Blog”.  Check it.
6. Close that gadget settings window.
7. There should be a new gadget listed as “Ed’s SideShow Gadget Blog”.  Enable it.
8. The content from the blog should now be on your device.

These steps work for all RSS feeds, but what content could be more compelling?

I’m now soliciting requests for SideShow gadgets…  I’d like to hear your ideas about what gadgets you would find most useful and compelling.  I’d like to take some of the best ideas, code them up, and then publish them to the Live Gallery as free downloads.

Please add your suggestions as comments to this post.

Version 1.0.2 of the WoW Armory gadget has been posted to the Live Gallery. 

Download link

This build contains fixes for a problem with the friends list and other minor issues.