Microsoft Introduces Windows SideShow, Microsoft Gadgets and more

Microsoft is entering the widgets arena. The new build of Windows Vista, the company's upcoming client OS previously codenamed Longhorn, introduces the Windows Sidebar and more features that will certainly appeal to all types of users.

Windows Sidebar will host the new Windows Gadgets, mini-applications designed to provide information or enhance an application or service on your Windows PC or the Web.

Yes, you know it – pretty much like the Mac OS X and Konfabulator (now part of Yahoo!).

Examples might include a weather gadget running on your desktop or on your homepage, an RSS Gadget that pulls in your favorite feeds, or an extension of a business application providing just-in-time status on the pulse of your business.

Gadgets will be available for Windows Sidebar, Start.com and Windows SideShow.

Microsoft Windows Sideshow is a a new platform in Microsoft Windows Vista that developers can use to write gadgets that extend their applications to a range of display devices. Some of the display devices will be integrated into computers; others will appear on peripheral devices.

Windows Sideshow can be integrated into a display embedded in a laptop lid, a display in a keyboard or even a Smartphone.

The company is also introducing the Microsoft Max, a peer-to-peer slideshow application based on its new presentation foundation, WinFX.

The downside? Windows Sidebar, Microsoft Gadgets and Windows Sideshow are only available on Microsoft Windows Vista, to be release in 2006. Developers can start working on this now though, through SDKs and preview versions available from the MSDN website.