Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Multimedia, Odds and ends
Opinion: SideShow - Even Microsoft has a Good Idea Occasionally
You can file this one under the "even a stopped clock is right twice a day" if you like, but I will now commit the grievous sin of suggesting that there is an interesting feature in Vista that I'd actually like to see Apple implement in some form. It is called SideShow, and it allows computer makers to build in a a secondary display for showing a variety of information. So for instance, a notebook might have a secondary display on the back side of the main display that would allow you to glance at your calendar (on the right), see music track information, or even check email without opening the laptop. What runs on these little displays are Microsoft's Dashboard widget equivalent: gadgets. Even before SideShow many PC geeks (especially on Linux) have been using USB LCD displays, which are small monochrome displays that plug into a USB port and can provide system diagnostic information (temperatures, fans speeds, etc.) or even, with the proper drivers, indicate new email, etc. Unfortunately, OS X lacks any kind of drivers for these secondary displays, though someone has managed to build LCDproc for OS X. Personally, I'd love to have something like SideShow for the Mac, either built-in to the outside of a new MacBook, or even on something like Emtrace's stand-alone WidgetStation, which would run Dashboard widgets. With the iPhone apparently having some sort of widgets, Apple is already moving them beyond the desktop, so it wouldn't even be that much of a stretch.
So what do you think, TUAW readers, am I nuts for thinking Microsoft has a cool idea here?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Stuart said 8:33AM on 1-31-2007
"which are small monochrome displays that plug into a USB port and can provide system diagnostic information (temperatures, fans speeds, etc.) "
Does any normal person really want to know about the speed of their fan, the temperature of their cpu? Isn't this just really nerdy crap, and not at all Apple like? Still, perhaps doing something more useful with widgets is a good idea, Dashboard on the surface seemed a good idea, but in use I find it a pain in the arse.
As for the screen on the back, is this really a MS idea? Haven't mobile phones been doing something similar for awhile?
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Cecil Sellers said 7:16AM on 1-31-2007
I've had a similar idea for a while. I would like to see Apple add a smaller lcd screen in the white space below the main lcd on the imac. It's begging for some attention other than my post-it notes. I would love to have itunes always there as well as my widgets, etc. Or view my EyeTV screen. Oh yes!
I could use a smaller screen up there by my MBP camera also. Get creative!
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Rom said 7:25AM on 1-31-2007
I do not think that it is such a good idea. If you have your notebook with you, just flip the lid and you can get your calendar, etc. right away. Sideshow is an added battery drain and another thing to get scratched or broken.
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syberia said 7:29AM on 1-31-2007
Sideshow is a lot more useful if the external display is on a remote control. It allows you to remotely browse through and control the music, pictures, movies on your computer and allows you to check your mail and calendar.
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Alex said 7:31AM on 1-31-2007
I was just thinking this. Apple really can't do this now as they will be sued by Microsoft or at least it will be clear that they copied Microsoft. What I would like to see is a 3rd party make a little device you plug into a usb port that can display information. Unfortunately I do not see that coming but it could happen. Maybe someone will even figure out how to run a side show enabled device on a mac?
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henrrrik said 7:41AM on 1-31-2007
I really don't see the point. I carry my MacBook Pro in a neoprene sleeve in my messenger bag. If I need take it out to check my Sideshow screen I might as well open the lid.
Isn't this what a smartphone is for?
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spankyscissors said 3:47AM on 2-01-2007
I also don't think that this would be that useful to the average user. It sort of takes a bit of that "AppleSimplicity and Grace" away.
It does however seem like something that freaks like many of us could find some use for.
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JonC said 7:53AM on 1-31-2007
I think this is a really good idea, especially the way that some manufacturers are using MP3 players to double up as sideshow screens when connected to the computer, imagine having your new widescreen iPod or iPhone double as a secondary screen when plugged in.
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NitRam Den Gale said 7:55AM on 1-31-2007
Useless, thats what I think...
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ossiejnr said 8:03AM on 1-31-2007
Why not just allow your iPhone to alert you about new mail, events etc, that's what's going to be easily available - as others have said your laptop is going to be packed away or in front of you.
Apple should allow information to pass between iPhone and my mac when it's sleeping. That way if I've got my mac packed away it can still send information (such as application events) to my iPhone. Then if it's important - such as 15% battery left warning - I can switch to the mac.
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Ken said 8:37AM on 1-31-2007
This feature is already available in clamshell mobile phones. The secondary screen shows the time, who calls you or new message alerts.
Anyway, I don't think it's a good idea. As others have added it's an expensive, battery draining, easy to scratch or damage, useless feature.
If I really need to monitor my calendar or email account all the time, I should get a smartphone instead or something.
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Floggy Bottom said 8:43AM on 1-31-2007
It's a stupid gimmick that has no business being on a laptop.
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Konstantino said 8:51AM on 1-31-2007
I don't like the idea of SideShow for one main reason -- its integration. I've seen PC manufacturers and their integration of SideShow. My god it's ugly. That's definitely not the Apple way.
If Apple could find a good way to integrate it, that'd be nice...but I don't think this will catch on too much. If Apple DID decide to use the idea, Microsoft couldn't sue them though (as a previous commenter posted) unless they wanted to be counter-sued for like 10+ infringements.
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RK said 8:59AM on 1-31-2007
This is a revolutionary idea, I wish somebody had come up with the idea of being able to add a second or third display to a computer sooner.
Oh wait, never mind ;-)
It's an interesting gimmick, I'm just not sure of anything I'd use it for it.
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Gandhi said 9:09AM on 1-31-2007
There is a reason why slideshow was introduced in the Windows world. XP takes forever to boot! Even when coming out of sleep/standby. OS-X does not have that problem. Coming out of sleep takes 2-3 seconds, max. Why fumble through a small screen and limited widgets, when you have access to the full computer in less than five seconds?
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erlend said 9:11AM on 1-31-2007
This is a fairly nice implementation of SideShow together with a media center: http://asono.com/mc
From the page: "The wireless RF SideShow remote control provides the freedom to navigate your Mediacenter from virtually anywhere in the house, or even from the outside."
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Gonalo said 9:14AM on 1-31-2007
Like others said, useless. Personally, I wouldn't want to scar my Powerbook with an outside display.
But the bigger issue at hand here is another: if I want to perform any of the tasks that sideshow accomplishes on my PB, I just open the lid, the machine comes out of sleep instantly, and I go on about my business. Try to do the same in a Windows laptop. So, by adding a new gimnick, MS is disguising the real problem: standby/hibernate mode on Windows sucks. Big time.
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Dave said 9:21AM on 1-31-2007
Keep in mind that the whole point of slideshow is that you can use the little screen while your computer is shut down or asleep (or on a seperate remote control). It is not really meant to be a second little display like the Optimus Mini 3 or the other stuff Art Lebedev Studio is coming out with. I am not sure how it accesses memory and the hard drive but this is supposed to improve battery life because you can use it to look up a contact quickly instead of booting up your computer.
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Ted said 9:23AM on 1-31-2007
Dumbest. Idea. Ever. I mean, you can have multiple monitors on your desktop, or connected to your laptop already. Having a second monitor on the other side of a laptop monitor is stupid. The whole evolution of the laptop is going in the smaller, lighter, and longer battery life direction. This idea completely goes against the grain of that evolution. Plus, I can press a key combination and either bring up Dashboard or move to another virtual space faster than I can flip the monitor. It doesn't require additional power, space, or materials to build.
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ziggybopper said 9:37AM on 1-31-2007
I posted a version of this on another site re: wanted Leopard features:
How about a wireless multi-touch input/display device?
1. Apple has already demonstrated the coolness of multi-touch on the iPhone. They have the software for multi-touch developed for OS X already.
2. Apple has a patent application submitted for an LCD screen that can “see” (a combination of display diodes with image sensors - LCD and iSight on one surface.)
Now imagine a iPhone-like tablet that can display your main screen, can sense your fingers hovering over the surface, display those finger positions on your main screen like the dots in the iPhone demos at Apple.com/iphone/ipod/, that lets you manipulate your main screen just like you can manipulate an iPhone. And when not used as an input device, display widgets.
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