Windows SideShow

Windows SideShow is a new technology in Windows 7 that supports a secondary screen on your mobile PC. With this additional display, you can view important information such as running Windows Media Player or check email whether your laptop is on, off, or in sleep mode. Windows SideShow is available in Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise, and Windows 7 Ultimate.

Windows SideShow uses gadgets, convenient mini programs, to extend information from your computer to other devices. Gadgets can run on a Windows SideShow-compatible device and update that device with information from your computer. Using a gadget, you can view information from your computer regardless of whether your mobile PC is on, off, or in the sleep power state, which can save you both time and battery life.

To configure Windows SideShow, you have to search Windows Help and Support for "Turn on Windows SideShow." After clicking the Turn a Windows SideShow gadget on or off, click the Click to open Windows SideShow link to generate the window. You can then turn gadgets on or off for each of your devices (assuming you have SideShow gadgets). From Control Panel, you can also set your computer to wake periodically (such as every hour) so that all gadgets that are turned on can update your devices with the latest information.

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.