XBMC Vista Sidebar Gadget (also Windows Desktop Gadgets in Windows 7)

I have just uploaded the first version of an XBMC Vista Sidebar Gadget to

https://sourceforge.net/project/showfile..._id=581138

I have attached the accompanying readme.txt file.

Nad

Latest version, v1.7, can be found here: http://gallery.live.com/LiveItemDetail.a...93743532d4

how about a screen shot

Nothing much to look at. Most of the time you will be just seeing the album art.

I have updated my XBMC Vista Sidebar gadget to v1.0.

This time I have even included a screenshot. The screenshot shows two instances of the gadget. The top one is pointing to an XBMC playing a song. (Note the tooltip with the song's details). The third gadget down is pointing to an XBMC that is offline.



The new version provides the following functionality:

1. Displays the thumbnail of the currently played media, or if nothing is being played then the XBMC logo, or if XBMC is offline (or some other network error) a greyscale XBMC logo. Note that the thumbnail is only displayed if XBMC has access to the thumbnail (i.e. the gadget does not attempt to find the thumbnail).

2. Displays information on the currently played media as a tooltip on the thumbnail. (Hover the mouse over the thumbnail; the thumbnail may need to be clicked in order for the tooltip is displayed).

3. Double clicking the gadget pauses/plays the currently active media

4. Dragging a media file on to the gadget and, provided XBMC knows how to access the file (see configuration below), XBMC will attempt to play it.

5. Clicking the gadget (to select it) and any keys the user types are sent to XBMC

6. The original XBMC browser interface can be initiated from the gadget’s settings window allowing for fuller control of media playback.

The gadget is now available from Microsoft's Vista gallery web site.

Nad: I think it's pretty cool ! Thanks for doing this.
Hopefully you'll add some remote control functionality to the gadget as well one day

The httpapi BROADCAST you added, has (most likely) fucked up XBMC
You NEED to get in touch with the other developers ASAP, nad

http://www.pastebin.ca/951570

I have updated my XBMC Vista Sidebar gadget to v1.2. No new functionality but should be more responsive.

V1.3 is now available from Microsoft's Vista gallery web site. This time there's new functionality:

1. Displays the thumbnail of the currently played media, or if nothing is being played then the XBMC logo, or if XBMC is offline (or some other network error) a greyscale XBMC logo. Note that the thumbnail is only displayed if XBMC has access to the thumbnail (i.e. the gadget does not attempt to find the thumbnail).

2. Basic media play control (previous track, next track, pause/play) and display the current play list.

3. Displays information on the currently played media as a tooltip on the thumbnail. (Hover the mouse over the thumbnail; the thumbnail may need to be clicked in order for the tooltip is displayed).

4. Clicking an entry within the play list window will set that item as the new media to play.

5. Double clicking the gadget stops the currently playing media

6. Dragging media files on to the gadget and, provided XBMC knows how to access the files, XBMC will attempt to play them.

7. Clicking the gadget (to select it) and any keys the user types are sent to XBMC

8. Clicking ctrl s toggles the screen shot and currently playing media mode. When in the screen shot mode, clicking the screen shot sends a mouse click to XBMC. (Drag the gadget off the Sidebar to provide more accurate clicking.)

9. The original XBMC browser interface can be initiated from the gadget’s settings window allowing for fuller control of media playback.

@nad, any chance of a Windows SideShow version of this?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_SideShow
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=30460

Windows SideShow is almost the same thing as a Windows SideBar gadget but displayed exclusivly on a small secondary display.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/product...eshow.mspx

Quote:Windows SideShow–compatible devices can take many forms. Hardware manufacturers are already including secondary displays in their designs for mobile PCs and devices such as keyboards, mobile phones, and remote controls. The following are a few examples:

Integrated devices on computers. If your mobile PC has an integrated Windows SideShow–compatible device, you can view your Windows Mail inbox without so much as opening the lid or turning on the computer so you can quickly access your recent e-mail messages virtually whenever and wherever you want.

Mobile phones. With Windows SideShow, you can configure a compatible mobile phone to show you your contacts and calendar, the latest updates from your favorite websites, your favorite pictures, and other information.

Media remote control. While you watch TV with your family on Windows Media Center, you can find out what programs are showing next or schedule a recording for the next day. You can also browse through your Windows Media Center music collection from the display on the remote control without turning on the TV.



Laptop with in-lid Windows SideShow display.

PS! I know this is the wrong place to request this bit I could not resist.