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'''Windows SideShow''' is a technology developed by [[Microsoft]] and introduced in the [[Windows Vista]] [[operating system]] that is designed to provide information such as the amount of unread [[e-mail|e-mail messages]] or [[RSS|RSS feeds]] on a secondary display of a Windows-based device; displays may be integrated as part of a device itself or included as part of a separate component connected to a [[personal computer]]. SideShow integrates with the [[Windows Desktop Gadgets|Windows Gadgets]] feature of Windows Vista and [[Windows 7]] and can also integrate with [[Windows Media Center]].
'''Windows SideShow''' is a technology developed by [[Microsoft]] and introduced in the [[Windows Vista]] [[operating system]] that is designed to provide information such as the amount of unread [[e-mail|e-mail messages]] or [[RSS|RSS feeds]] on a secondary display of a Windows-based device; displays may be integrated as part of a device itself or included as part of a separate component connected to a [[personal computer]]. SideShow integrates with the [[Windows Desktop Gadgets|Windows Gadgets]] feature of Windows Vista and [[Windows 7]]<ref name="SideShowSidebar">{{cite web |url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc982235%28v=vs.85%29.aspx |title=Extending a Windows Sidebar Gadget to Windows SideShow |author=[[Microsoft]] |work=[[MSDN]] |accessdate=May 22, 2015}}</ref> and can also integrate with applications such as [[Windows Media Center]].<ref name="WMC-WindowsSideShow">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2008/10/21/windows-media-center-gadgets-for-windows-sideshow-released/ |title=Windows Media Center Gadgets for Windows SideShow Released |last=LeBlanc |first=Brandon |date=October 21, 2008 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |work=Blogging Windows |accessdate=May 22, 2015}}</ref>


During a discussion on the ''Microsoft Answers'' web community, a Microsoft employee revealed that the company had discontinued the technology with the introduction of [[Windows 8.1]].<ref name="MicrosoftAnswers">{{cite web |url=http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-windows_install/has-windows-sideshow-been-removed-from-windows-81/c21f0af0-0b60-44b3-8b10-98df541b7e49 |title=Has Windows SideShow been removed from Windows 8.1? |author=[[Microsoft]] |date=January 14, 2014 |work=Answers Community |accessdate=April 23, 2015}}</ref>
During a discussion on the ''Microsoft Answers'' web community, a Microsoft employee revealed that the company had discontinued the technology with the introduction of [[Windows 8.1]].<ref name="MicrosoftAnswers">{{cite web |url=http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-windows_install/has-windows-sideshow-been-removed-from-windows-81/c21f0af0-0b60-44b3-8b10-98df541b7e49 |title=Has Windows SideShow been removed from Windows 8.1? |author=[[Microsoft]] |date=January 14, 2014 |work=Answers Community |accessdate=April 23, 2015}}</ref>
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==Overview==
==Overview==
Windows SideShow displays can be embedded as part of a device itself or as a separate component. Examples include an [[electronic visual display]] integrated as part of a [[keyboard]], or [[digital photo frame|digital photo frames]] that can receive information [[wireless|wirelessly]]; wireless devices are connected to a [[personal computer]] through wireless network technologies, including [[Bluetooth]] and [[Wi-Fi]]; manufacturers may also produce detachable displays.<ref name="TW04004"/><ref name="TWDT05004"/> Sideshow devices display various types of information, such as [[address book|contacts]], [[calendar|calendar appointments]], e-mail, [[map|maps]], RSS feeds, and can serve as indicators for system information such as battery life and wireless network strength.<ref name="TW04004"/><ref name="TWDT05004"/> Microsoft has published documentation which suggests additional uses for SideShow devices, such as the ability to transmit information and notifications received from a computer across [[television|televisions]] and [[set-top box|set-top boxes]],<ref name="TV">{{cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20081222091835/http://download.microsoft.com/download/A/D/F/ADF1347D-08DC-41A4-9084-623B1194D4B2/SideShow_TV-Set-Top.docx |title=Windows SideShow and Television and Set-Top Boxes |author=[[Microsoft]] |date=October 30, 2008 |format=DOCX |accessdate=May 22, 2015}}</ref> and the ability to serve as a [[second screen]] for PC games and their content (e.g., character statistics or maps) and to enable new multitasking scenarios during gameplay.<ref name="SideShowGaming">{{cite web |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/E/7/7E7662CF-CBEA-470B-A97E-CE7CE0D98DC2/SideShow_Gaming_Solutions.docx |title=Compelling Solutions for PC Gamers by Using Windows SideShow |date=May 28, 2009 |author=[[Microsoft]] |format=DOCX |accessdate=May 22, 2015}}</ref>
Windows SideShow displays can be embedded as part of a device itself or as a separate component. Examples include an [[electronic visual display]] integrated as part of a [[keyboard]], or [[digital photo frame|digital photo frames]] that can receive information [[wireless|wirelessly]]; wireless devices are connected to a [[personal computer]] through wireless network technologies, including [[Bluetooth]] and [[Wi-Fi]]; manufacturers may also produce detachable displays.<ref name="TW04004"/><ref name="TWDT05004"/> Sideshow devices display various types of information, such as [[address book|contacts]], [[calendar|calendar appointments]], e-mail, [[map|maps]], RSS feeds, and can serve as indicators for system information such as battery life and wireless network strength.<ref name="TW04004"/><ref name="TWDT05004"/> Microsoft has published documentation which suggests additional uses for SideShow devices, such as the ability to transmit information and notifications received from a computer across [[television|televisions]] and [[set-top box|set-top boxes]],<ref name="TV">{{cite web |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20081222091835/http://download.microsoft.com/download/A/D/F/ADF1347D-08DC-41A4-9084-623B1194D4B2/SideShow_TV-Set-Top.docx |title=Windows SideShow and Television and Set-Top Boxes |author=[[Microsoft]] |date=October 30, 2008 |format=DOCX |accessdate=May 22, 2015}}</ref> and the ability to serve as a [[second screen]] for PC games and their content (e.g., character statistics or maps) and to enable new multitasking scenarios during gameplay.<ref name="SideShowGaming">{{cite web |url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/E/7/7E7662CF-CBEA-470B-A97E-CE7CE0D98DC2/SideShow_Gaming_Solutions.docx |title=Compelling Solutions for PC Gamers by Using Windows SideShow |date=May 28, 2009 |author=[[Microsoft]] |format=DOCX |accessdate=May 22, 2015}}</ref>

SideShow features integration with the Windows desktop gadget feature of Windows Vista and Windows 7, which enables a single gadget to operate simultaneously on a user's desktop while supplying data across devices.<ref name="SideShowSidebar"/>


==Development platform==
==Development platform==

Revision as of 19:55, 22 May 2015

Windows SideShow
Developer(s)Microsoft
Operating systemWindows Vista
Windows CE
Windows Mobile
Windows 7
Windows 8
Platform.NET Framework
.NET Micro Framework
TypeAuxiliary display platform
Websitewww.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/sideshow.mspx Edit this on Wikidata

Windows SideShow is a technology developed by Microsoft and introduced in the Windows Vista operating system that is designed to provide information such as the amount of unread e-mail messages or RSS feeds on a secondary display of a Windows-based device; displays may be integrated as part of a device itself or included as part of a separate component connected to a personal computer. SideShow integrates with the Windows Gadgets feature of Windows Vista and Windows 7[1] and can also integrate with applications such as Windows Media Center.[2]

During a discussion on the Microsoft Answers web community, a Microsoft employee revealed that the company had discontinued the technology with the introduction of Windows 8.1.[3]

History

Development

An auxiliary display feature was first presented by Microsoft during the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in 2004 where it was scheduled to be included in Windows Vista, then known by its codename, "Longhorn."[4] This auxiliary display feature was intended for tablet PCs and other mobile devices, and was intended to provide users with up-to-date information at a glance. Microsoft's primary purpose with this feature was to increase the value of the Windows operating system in new mobile scenarios.[5]

At WinHEC 2005, Microsoft released details about the SideShow development platform and discussed new scenarios enabled by the technology.[6] Prototypes were also produced by several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and displayed at the conference.[7][8] Microsoft would release additional details a year later at WinHEC 2006[9] where additional hardware was also displayed.[10]

Release

Windows Vista was released to manufacturing on November 8, 2006 and includes two SideShow gadgets, one for Windows Mail and one for Windows Media Player.[11]

Overview

Windows SideShow displays can be embedded as part of a device itself or as a separate component. Examples include an electronic visual display integrated as part of a keyboard, or digital photo frames that can receive information wirelessly; wireless devices are connected to a personal computer through wireless network technologies, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi; manufacturers may also produce detachable displays.[5][6] Sideshow devices display various types of information, such as contacts, calendar appointments, e-mail, maps, RSS feeds, and can serve as indicators for system information such as battery life and wireless network strength.[5][6] Microsoft has published documentation which suggests additional uses for SideShow devices, such as the ability to transmit information and notifications received from a computer across televisions and set-top boxes,[12] and the ability to serve as a second screen for PC games and their content (e.g., character statistics or maps) and to enable new multitasking scenarios during gameplay.[13]

SideShow features integration with the Windows desktop gadget feature of Windows Vista and Windows 7, which enables a single gadget to operate simultaneously on a user's desktop while supplying data across devices.[1]

Development platform

A gadget developed for SideShow is written by programming for the Windows SideShow Platform application programming interface—a native code COM-based API introduced in Windows Vista.[14] A managed API for .NET Framework developers was also released by Microsoft, and includes development templates for Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Studio 2008. To aid in the development of gadgets, Microsoft released a SideShow simulator that emulates the functionality of a SideShow-compatible device, thereby allowing developers to test the appearance and functionality of gadgets without requiring physical hardware.[15][16]

Devices for Windows SideShow have different hardware traits than devices such as mobile phones or PDAs. The former have their own processor; they need not rely solely on a connection to a computer for processing tasks. There are online and offline abilities that allow the device to run larger components on the connected computer. The following list contains typical device display types and technologies.

Auxiliary display types
Device type Description
Enhanced display Renders full color content including text and images, e.g. a device running Microsoft's rendering code for the .NET Micro Framework.
Single line display Can show one or two lines of text, but supports no images.
Attached display, lid top Located on the body of a PC (notebook, desktop, or server), e.g. on the top of a laptop's lid, or a media center's front panel.
Remote display Located off of the PC, and talks to the PC through a wired or wireless network protocol.

Hardware-specific, native applications that provide rich-media experiences like audio and video playback that can be accessed through the SideShow user interface require the SDK from the specific platform vendor. For example, Nvidia provides the Preface platform that includes abilities like MP3, AAC, MPEG-4 encode-decode and other digital media formats.[17]

Market acceptance

Few OEMs accepted SideShow.

In 2007, Asus announced the W5Fe, a laptop with a full-color, 2.8-inch SideShow display on the front cover.[18]

In 2006, after being featured at WinHEC, the 7-inch and 10-inch "Momento" digital photo frames were released by their developer, A Living Picture,[19] and provided Sideshow functionality over WiFi. They were subsequently marketed by i-mate along with its Momento Live picture service,[20] before being shut down in 2009.[21]

In October 2007, Dell released the XPS 420,[22] which included a Sideshow device on the top front of the machine.[23] It was not widely promoted, found little use[24] and was quietly dropped when the XPS 430 came out a year later.[25]

On February 1, 2010, Ikanos Consulting announced Threemote, a suite of Windows SideShow-compatible products for embedded platforms including Windows Mobile, Google Android, and Kopin Golden-i.[26] Threemote appears unsupported and had been unavailable from the Android Market for some time as of September 2011, nor was it available for Windows Mobile. In a blog posting in April 2010, the technical director of Ikanos consulting said that Sideshow was not dead and Threemote was "bubbling along".[27]

On February 7, 2012, Chris James released "MS Sideshow Device",[28] an implementation of a Windows Sideshow device for Google Android.

Microsoft discontinued the Sideshow gallery. A duplication of the sideshow gallery content is available at Windows Sidebar Gadget Gallery.[29]

With the introduction of Windows 8.1, Microsoft discontinued the technology and removed support for SideShow devices from the operating system.[30]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Microsoft. "Extending a Windows Sidebar Gadget to Windows SideShow". MSDN. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  2. ^ LeBlanc, Brandon (October 21, 2008). "Windows Media Center Gadgets for Windows SideShow Released". Blogging Windows. Microsoft. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  3. ^ Microsoft (January 14, 2014). "Has Windows SideShow been removed from Windows 8.1?". Answers Community. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  4. ^ Thurrott, Paul (October 6, 2010). "WinHEC 2004 'Longhorn' Prototypes Gallery". Supersite for Windows. Penton Media. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  5. ^ a b c Fuller, Andrew; Schoppa, Chris (2004). "Auxiliary Displays For Mobile PCs". Microsoft. Archived from the original (PPT) on December 14, 2005. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c Fuller, Andrew (2005). "Auxiliary Display Platform for 'Longhorn'". Microsoft. Archived from the original (PPT) on December 14, 2005. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  7. ^ Thurrott, Paul (October 6, 2010). "WinHEC 2005 Show Report and Photo Gallery". Supersite for Windows. Penton. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  8. ^ ExtremeTech (April 26, 2005). "WinHEC 2005–Day Two". Ziff Davis Media. Retrieved April 26, 2005.
  9. ^ Polivy, Dan (2006). "Building Remote And Integrated Auxiliary Display Devices for Windows SideShow" (PPT). Microsoft. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  10. ^ Blass, Evan (May 23, 2006). "Microsoft demos SideShow-enabled products at WinHEC". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  11. ^ Geier, Eric (May 29, 2008). "Introducing Windows Vista - Windows SideShow". Que Publishing. Pearson Education. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  12. ^ Microsoft (October 30, 2008). "Windows SideShow and Television and Set-Top Boxes" (DOCX). Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  13. ^ Microsoft (May 28, 2009). "Compelling Solutions for PC Gamers by Using Windows SideShow" (DOCX). Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  14. ^ "Introduction to the Windows SideShow Platform". MSDN. Microsoft. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  15. ^ "Simulator for Windows SideShow". MSDN. Microsoft. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  16. ^ Lee, Meng-Wei (March 1, 2007). "Windows Vista SideShow Gadgets: Little Apps, Big Impact". DevX. QuinStreet. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  17. ^ Nvidia. "Preface". Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  18. ^ [1]
  19. ^ [2]
  20. ^ [3] Hands-on with the i-mate Momento 70
  21. ^ [4]
  22. ^ Engadget: Dell XPS 420 slated for October 19th launch
  23. ^ [5]
  24. ^ "Some MiniView display modes"
  25. ^ HighTech Review: Dell XPS 430 Desktop PC unleashed
  26. ^ Threemote website
  27. ^ Discussion in Windows Experts Community, with contribution from Ikanos director: ThreeMote - Sideshow for Android & Windows Mobile
  28. ^ MS Sideshow Free
  29. ^ Windows Sidebar Gadget Gallery
  30. ^ http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-windows_install/has-windows-sideshow-been-removed-from-windows-81/c21f0af0-0b60-44b3-8b10-98df541b7e49
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