Difference between Windows desktop gadgets and SideShow gadgets



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When you visit the Windows 7 customization gallery, you will notice that Microsoft offers different themes, wallpapers and gadgets for Windows 7. In the Gadgets section, you will see Desktop Gadgets and SideShow Gadgets.

Windows Desktop Gadgets are a kind of mini-applications based on CSS, script and HTML. These gadgets are used to display information such as CPU, RAM usage, system properties, RSS feeds or to start and control applications. You can also use gadgets to display a slide show of images or to display constantly updated titles.

A Windows SideShow gadget is a program written against the Windows SideShow Platform API.

The Microsoft Windows SideShow Platform enables developers to create new and existing applications specifically for devices with small screens and limited interaction patterns. Applications that are working with the platform are called sideshow gadgets.

Devices supported by the platform include, but are not limited to, screens connected to a laptop, front panel computer monitors, screens embedded in keyboards, mobile phones, digital photo frames and other display devices.

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Windows SideShow is a technology introduced in Windows Vista that allows Windows PCs to control a variety of additional display devices connected to the main PC. In Windows 7, Windows SideShow is not in the Control Panel, unlike Vista. However, the SideShow icon appears when you install a compatible device.

Some Windows SideShow gadgets have been created for a specific Windows SideShow compatible device and may not be compatible with other devices.

You can also have a Windows desktop gadget that runs simultaneously on the desktop and provides data to devices running Windows SideShow. These gadgets can update information on these devices when the computer is running and the devices are connected to the computer.

NOTE : Desktop gadgets have been added.



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