Windows Vista Team Blog : Windows Vista, Gadgets

10 Things You May Not Know about Windows Vista - IntelliPoint Software

Nick White — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 03:22:00 GMT

How many of you have hooked up a new Microsoft keyboard and/or mouse and didn't install the included IntelliPoint software because Windows automatically found the hardware? As long as things worked when connected, I didn't miss some of the features that the IntelliPoint Software added.

But now that I've installed the software with Windows Vista, that's all changed. The team has added so many improvements in the IntelliPoint software functionality that I thought I'd conclude our 10 Things about Windows Vista series by discussing some of the lesser-known features of the IntelliPoint software. These features add functionality not only to those who may have problems with the fine print on some sites, but give the hardware more usability for the everyday user as well as the power user and gamer.

I'm using the new Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 keyboard. If you're looking for a new keyboard, check this out - www.microsoft.com/hardware/ultimatekeyboard, now available. The set features a 2.4GHz Bluetooth super thin, backlit rechargeable keyboard and mouse. The keyboard is easy to use with its ergonomic design, including "My Favorites" programmable hot keys, one-touch access to Windows Media Center and a navigation pad to make navigation even easier. The backlighting is automatic and turns on and off depending on the room‘s lighting and the proximity of the user.

The mouse uses High Definition Laser Technology for smooth, precise tracking. It offers 4-way scrolling and Flip 3D with its tilt wheel. It automatically adjusts battery life depending on the performance needs.

Some of the features of the IntelliPoint software:

Magnifier
Although Windows Vista has a built-in magnifier that enlarges text and icons for easier viewing, the IntelliPoint software acts more like a real magnifying glass. You can select the size of the magnifying window to encompass either a small section of a document, Web page, or photo. The size is customizable by dragging the window to your preferred size. The size you select will be remembered for future use. You can also change the magnification level from 1.5x to 5x.

Some keyboards also have a ‘Magnifier' button that can be used alone or in conjunction with the mouse controls.

Instant Viewer

For those of you who use a mouse to navigate, this feature is similar to the keyboard shortcut ‘Alt-Tab.' With a quick push of the mouse wheel, you can see every application that's open. After moving the cursor to any of the windows, a quick mouse click brings the window to the front.

Precision Booster

If you're a gamer and your mouse supports this, Precision Booster will increase or decrease the speed of the pointer for improved accuracy. You'll be able to move around the screen much faster. A quick press and hold increases the speed until released, or just press and release the assigned button to toggle the speed up and then press and release again to resume normal speed.

The hot keys on the Microsoft keyboards and mice are fully customizable to work with the IntelliPoint software.

Flip 3D

One-touch access to Windows Flip 3D on the mouse allows users to flip through open windows in a stack, and quickly switch between applications for added productivity.

Flip 3D comes pre-programmed to the scroll wheel button on the Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 and Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 7000. The software allows the user to program Flip 3D to any of the mouse buttons. I've also found that the software enables Flip 3D on my old trackball using the center button. As I really like trackballs, this was a great surprise.

Also available with IntelliPoint Software Version 6.2 and Supported Hardware

Windows Gadget Button offers quick access to customizable content such as weather information, news, traffic and maps.
The Quick-Launch button gives one-touch access to Windows Vista Games Explorer, allowing gamers to quickly see the games in their PC's game library.
Windows Live Call button lets you access one of your online Windows Messenger contacts, and start a video conversation quickly.

To get the latest updates specific to your hardware, check the Microsoft Hardware Web site or go to http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/Download.mspx

If you haven't installed the IntelliPoint software that came with your Microsoft hardware, try the latest version and let us know what your favorite feature is.

10 Things - Maximizing Sidebar Gadgets

Nick White — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 23:25:00 GMT

Many PC OEMs ship Windows Vista computers with Windows Sidebar enabled, usually only displaying the simple clock, photos and RSS feed gadgets. You may've found that they install their own home-grown gadgets to show off additional features or apps installed on the PC, or as sales tools for other products. You may even have turned off the Sidebar because you already have a clock in the systray and you use other ways to check RSS feeds.

If so, you're missing out, as there's a Windows Sidebar gadget for almost anything you might want: PC utilities, music, messaging, traffic reporting, searching or just a quick game can be yours with a click of the mouse. If you haven't taken the time to explore gadgets beyond those loaded by default, take a minute to right-click the Sidebar and select 'Add Gadgets.' From there, click 'Get More Gadgets Online' -- you’ll find over 1000 different gadgets available for download.

There are still other ways to find gadgets: visit the Microsoft Gadgets Gallery, Windows Live Gallery and Code Project for hundreds more. In addition, you'll find links to resources for developers and a way to submit your own gadgets for others to use.

This isn't the first time we've mentioned Windows Sidebar and accompanying gadgets: MS held a contest challenging developers to create new gadgets to do any number of things. And in January during the consumer market launch of Windows Vista we kept readers updated as to our whereabouts as we toured the East coast of the US in a branded bus. Brandon even found a gadget that alerts users to changes in targeted airfares on Expedia's site!

We have a gadget we use internally to train employees in fielding and responding to customer feedback; it's called the "Dear Steve" gadget, and it displays anonymized contents of emails our customers have sent directly to Steve Ballmer with their personal product feedback. This is what it looks like on the Sidebar:

...and here it is maximized on the desktop:

Windows Sidebar is definitely worth another look.

Windows Vista Gadgets Competition on Code Project - final results

Nick White — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 06:17:00 GMT

Last month we posted an update to the Windows Vista Gadgets Competition on Code Project. Now that the competition is complete, the team behind it would like to thank everyone who entered. The goal of the contest was to deliver 20 quality Sidebar Gadgets; we surpassed our goal considerably with a total of 29 gadget entries. The source code for the top 10 gadgets was downloaded by about 159,000 developers.

Join us in congratulating the winners, and give their gadgets a whirl and let us know what you think:

Soapbox Video Gadget

and

.NET Interop for Gadgets – A C# GMail Inbox Reader Example

An Honorable Mention was earned by A Virtual Earth slide show Gadget for Windows Vista.

This contest was certainly a success in encouraging developers to create interesting and quality Windows Vista Sidebar Gadgets. Thanks to everyone who entered!

The Windows Vista Gadgets Competition on Code Project

Nick White — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 23:33:00 GMT

We're only one month into the Windows Vista Gadgets Competition on Code Project, and already developers have exceeded our expectations in finding new ways to enhance the Windows Vista Sidebar experience via Gadgets. Some of the cooler gadgets include a daily Dilbert cartoon display and a tool that places your email Inbox at your fingertips. At this point we've already received dozens of contest entries and we're expecting even bigger things to come. It's pretty easy to make a gadget if you're a professional -- or even an amateur -- developer, and prizes ranging from cash to Zune player (not to mention promotion on the Code Project site) provide good incentive to take the plunge and try your hand.

If you're interested in building an innovative creation for Windows Vista Sidebar, check out the how-to articles here. And if you want to offer your opinion on contest entries, you can join the site and post your thoughts to the forums.

Here's a sampling of who've been recognized for their creations thus far:

.NET Interop for Gadgets – A C# GMail Inbox Reader Example by Acoustic

How to call absolutely any .NET code from your Windows Vista Sidebar Gadget.

A Vista sidebar gadget to provide weather information by bodrick

This article will show the different capabilities of the Windows Vista sidebar, including settings, fly-outs, different states when docked and undocked, and pulling in live data feeds over the internet.

Daily Dilbert 1.0*: A Sidebar gadget for Windows Vista by Quartz...

Daily Dilbert is a simple Windows Vista sidebar gadget which delivers the daily dilbert cartoon on your desktop.
(*Note that there’s already an updated, improved version of this gadget posted.)

A Gadget for Browsing the Astronomy Picture of the Day by Michael Dunn

This article shows a Windows Vista Sidebar gadget that you can use to browse the APOD site and view previews of each day's picture.

Windows Vista Weather SideShow by Dr.Luiji

WeatherSideShow - A SideShow application that communicates with a weather Web service.

This contest runs for the next two months -- keep an eye on the entrants and their innovations!

Check out these Live Search Gadgets

Nick White — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 02:06:00 GMT

The Live Search Team has released 2 new Windows Sidebar Gadgets for Windows Vista.

Live Search Traffic Gadget

The new Live Search Traffic Gadget uses Live Search Maps to bring up-to-date local traffic information right to your Windows Vista desktop. The gadget display includes shortcuts to driving directions, local search and a full-screen view of traffic in Live Search Maps. Currently supported are the following cities:

· Atlanta

· Boston

· Chicago

· Denver

· Detroit

· Houston

· Los Angeles

· Milwaukee

· New York

· Oklahoma City

· Philadelphia

· Phoenix

· Pittsburgh

· Portland

· Providence

· Sacramento

· Salt Lake City

· San Diego

· San Francisco

· Seattle

· St Louis

· Tampa

· Washington, DC

Download the Live Search Traffic Gadget from Windows Live Gallery.

Live Search Gadget

The team has also released a Sidebar Gadget that allows access to Live Search directly from your desktop. It’ll accept your search query and render the results directly within the Gadget. You can set up custom searches using Live Search Macros in the gadget’s Settings pane as well.

Download the Live Search Gadget from Windows Live Gallery.

It's Windows Vista Week at Channels 9 and 10

Nick White — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:21:00 GMT

Windows Vista Week has begun at Channel 9 and Channel 10. Over on Channel 9 they're covering Windows Vista from the developer side, focusing on building apps for Windows Vista as a user-centric operating system. What technologies underlying Windows Vista make it what it is for the user? And what can developers get out of those technologies to improve the user's experience with their Windows apps? Channel 9 will take a deep-dive into those technologies this week. Expect topics to range from UAC to the networking stack and beyond.

Also, Channel 9's Charles Torre has posted his interview with Michael Wallent on the 'what' and 'why' of Windows Vista's developer appeal. Incidentally, I had the opportunity to interview Michael about Windows Vista product quality back in November, and he had some illuminating things to share, so I'm sure his words for devs will be equally valuable.

On Channel 10, the team will be covering a wide range of Windows Vista topics, too, in this case targeting power users (is that you?). For instance, Tina Wood works hands-on with Ernie Booth while installing Windows Vista, and Laura Foy interviews Windows Mobile's Mel Sampat (creator of FlexWallet) about getting Windows Sidebar Gadgets to run on your Windows Mobile device.

Should be an interesting week ...