CES: Vista's SideShow takes center stage

Just about every PC we've seen at CES is running Windows Vista (the version released to volume-license customers in November). In case you missed it, you can read and watch our Vista First Look here. Then, if you want to watch Sunday's Bill Gates keynote presentation, Microsoft has posted a video here. (You'll have to wait -€” or fast-forward -€” through the opening promo spot.)

It's inevitable that Windows users will migrate to Vista, at least when they purchase their next PC. There are some compelling reasons for doing so, including such new tools as Vista's desktop Sidebar, which contains "gadgets," small programs anyone can write to add functionality to Windows (similar tools, such as Google Desktop and Apple's Dashboard are already available to users of other operating systems). Building on the Sidebar is SideShow, a set of tools that allow gadget programmers to use additional, small displays attached to the PC or in connected devices. I didn't realize the versatility of this feature until I visited the huge Microsoft booth at CES and saw a showcase of SideShow examples.

The first SideShow example (above) represents what we were expecting to see on some Vista laptop lids, this one an Asus model. It displays the date, time and other information even when the laptop is in standby mode, using very little power. There's a small menu navigation pad to interact with the display, selecting the information you want to see, as well as an "off" switch.

The next SideShow (at left) is a speaker that doubles as a Media Player for music, showing the playlist and some buttons to control the player.

Next (on the right) is a small SideShow display right on the top of a desktop keyboard, displaying upcoming appointments, among other possible information.

At left, looking like a smartphone, is a Media Center remote that has a built-in SideShow display to show the music list and other contextual Media Player info.

Finally, on the right, the front edge of the new Toshiba Portege R400 Tablet PC, displays the time, battery condition, Wi-Fi signal, unread emails count, and the time of the next appointment. This laptop, for which Toshiba has not set pricing, has some real cutting-edge features, including:

• The use of Windows Active Notifications to update the edge display, so you'll see new emails even even in standby mode. 
• A wireless docking unit that links to the laptop when it's within 3 feet and provides connections to an external display, keyboard, mouse, printer, speakers, network, and any other USB-connected devices. It uses an ultrawideband radio to handle all these connections seamlessly.
• An LED display backlight, reducing power consumption and providing better color.

SideShow has appeared in a number of other iterations at CES, including audio players, phones and even a messenger bag. Despite its name, it certainly looks like SideShow is going to be central to Microsoft's strategy for promoting Vista.   

- Dean Gallea, Computing Technology Test Leader

Technorati tags: sideshow, vista, microsoft, ces, consumer reports, laptop, desktop, display

Comments

[Jack Williamson]

I'm going to have a computer built for me and i'm confused as to which system that I should install. I'm not too computer savvy. I'm 76 years old and not keen on reading. I seem to get around in XP without to much trouble but starting over with Vista concerns me. If I live for another 10 years, will I miss out on new additions on my computer if i stay with XP? What are my chances of still using and understanding Vista if I go that way? Help.

[Dusan]

I would like to by new computer with Vista on it and i want to use my Soundblaster Sound Card.Does Windows Vista accsepts Sound Blaster Sound Card.
Thanks

[Stephen Cooley]

I am in my 40th year of "Playing with computers and getting paid for it"... starting in IBM operations in 1967, and now having 6 functioning computers in my home network (for only two of us). Anyway, VISTA has proven to be my biggest struggle yet. I've read and understood IBM tech manuals during my entire career, but having VISTA do things (TO) me instead of (FOR) me, completely by surprise, and not by request, is very un-nerving. I'm still trying to get "PERMISSION" to add my own personal directories(folders) and to have install programs (VISTA ready) be able to install into Their Own directories, automatically. VISTA denies permission, and refuses to relenquish its control to me, supposedly its ADMINISTRATOR. I personally hate being denied control of something that is MINE, to which I should be its GOD.

[Marvin]

Vista?
I worked on computers before most people knew what they were - analog with vacuum tubes.

Vista has some advantages to business and a very few home users, unless they want to learn more software and programming. For me, no advantage at all, except a few things slightly faster. Most of it I learned about I would immediately delete.