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Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Beta, Windows x64

Free themes, gadgets, wallpaper for Windows 7 beta


If you're running the Windows 7 public beta, why not head over to Microsoft's personalization page and grab some free downloads to customize your desktop? There are currently 15 themes, 13 wallpapers, and 8 desktop gadgets available.

If you're running a compatible setup (i.e. laptop with a tiny secondary display) there are also 5 gadgets available for SideShow.

The themes are straight from Microsoft, so no patching is required - just click and install. Not running Windows 7 and still want to use the stunning background images? Just extract the .themepack files using an application like 7-zip.

As a Windows user, customization has always been important to me. After being stuck with the boring green-and-blue start button/taskbar combo for so long with XP, it's nice to see a number of themes available at this stage of the Win7 game.

[ via Life Rocks 2.0 ]

note: I did try extracting the pack and installing the theme file on Vista Ultimate as well, but didn't have complete success. Wallpaper changed, and the taskbar started to re-color, then it reverted to the Aero Glass default. Let us know if you're able to get it working!

Filed under: Windows, Windows Mobile, Microsoft, Mobile Minute, Beta

Microsoft releases SideShow beta app for Windows Mobile

Windows Sideshow mobile previewOne of the coolest, and least frequently used, features in Windows Vista is Windows SideShow. Essentially this is a service that lets a computer running Windows Vista communicate with a handful of electronic devices like a media center remote control or an LCD screen. In other words, you can use a remote control to browse and control music playlists on your PC even when your monitor is off.

We've been expecting Microsoft to develop software that would let you use your Windows Mobile phone or PDA as a SideShow device pretty much since the first time we heard about this technology. Last year we even got a hint that a Windows Mobile client was coming. But it wasn't until this week that Microsoft finally released something, in the form of a beta release. And when we say beta, we mean it. Windows SideShow for Windows Mobile is listed as a 0.01 release.

Windows SideShow for Windows Mobile works on Windows Mobile 5 and 6 devices that use the Microsoft Bluetooth stack. WiFi and 3G are not supported. If you've got a device that meets the requirements, you can use your PDA or phone to access information on your PC and control some PC functions from your device. For example, you can check the weather, read your email, control media playback, or use your device as a PowerPoint remote control.

[via the::unwired]

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Windows Mobile, Microsoft, Mobile Minute

Windows Vista SideShow coming to Windows Mobile?

SideShowWindows Vista may have some compatibility and reliability issues. But it also sports some pretty cool new features like a 3D window manager and animated backgrounds (if you shell out the money for the "Ultimate" edition). One Vista feature that we'd love to see more of is SideShow, but unfortunately hardware makers have been slow to create SideShow capable devices.

In a nutshell, SideShow lets you access certain Vista features from a secondary display. For example, you can check your email without opening your laptop's lid. Or you can schedule a TV recording on Windows Media Center using your case's front-panel display. You know, if you have a laptop or PC case with an external display.

If not, you're pretty much out of luck. But maybe not for long. Microsoft has just published an SDK for SideShow with support for Bluetooth and QVGA screens: two features that many Windows Mobile devices already have. The folks at the::unwired speculate this could mean a Windows Mobile SideShow application is on its way. In other words, you'd be able to fire up a program on your phone or PDA that will give you control over your desktop. Your PDA could become your favorite remote control, web browser, or email tool.

Earlier this year Microsoft announced that a Windows Mobile Sideshow program was on its way, but we've been waiting about half a year to see anything materialize. Hopefully the SDK launch means we won't have to wait much longer.

[via Engadget]

Featured Time Waster

Graveyard Shift - zombie-busting Time Waster

With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet. They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...

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