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Is there any way to configure universal for microsoft windows sideshow (in vista)?
kingdomraj said:
Is there any way to configure universal for microsoft windows sideshow (in vista)?
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Umm ..... you might want to stay off smoking the weed for a while because side-show is targeted for quick access to information which are traditionally attained by booting up the machine.
That said, under which scenario would your Universal be powered down whereby you would still demand access to information inside it.
This is ofcourse one interpretation of your query.
The other interpretation is if the Universal is hooked up to your PC / Laptop which is powered down, hence making the Universal device itself immitate as a side-show device.
The problem with this is that:
1. The SideShow Emulation Software for the Universal (which does not exist) needs to be developed
2. The USB, IR, and Bluetooth hardware of the PC / Laptop are the only interfaces to the Universal and all require the PC / Laptop to be powered up.
well in that case go for your second interpretation.. ust to keep you reminded that the new launch ie imate ultimate series due to be launched in Q2/Q3 this year supports this feature (windows side show)
and as far as my knowledge goes sideshow is only functional wen ur pc is on,( may be in sleep mode too)
if you want a link for this piece of information let me know , i ll send it across to you.
too true. One of the Microsoft developers in a discussion on WM6, mentioned the possiblity of other devices being able to use this feature. Realistically if its possible it would be highly in MS interest to do so. Otherwise at this rate, the sideshow feature is pretty useless given the complete lack of devices out there.....but turn your WM6 device into a sideshow compatible device and you watch the platform take off.
kingdomraj said:
well in that case go for your second interpretation.. ust to keep you reminded that the new launch ie imate ultimate series due to be launched in Q2/Q3 this year supports this feature (windows side show)
and as far as my knowledge goes sideshow is only functional wen ur pc is on,( may be in sleep mode too)
if you want a link for this piece of information let me know , i ll send it across to you.
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Well .... is this info not suitable to be posted in this thread? I am sure such information would be beneficial to the masses. I this actually turns out to be true, the USB interface would be the interface of choice between the WM6 device and the PC / Laptop.
That said, I still believe that such a development is useless because of the major flaw side-show has been built on. Yes, I guess I am saying that although side-show is a good idea in general, Microsoft's implementation of it is totally flawed such that side-show is indeed a useless piece of technology.
Here is the reason why:
1. The purpose of Side-Show is to access PC information while the PC is powered-off or in sleep mode. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/sideshow.mspx
2. To access PC information, the OS (or part of it) must be in a runtime state. For any part of the OS to be "alive" - the hardware (Processor, RAM, HDD, I/O Devices like the USB Interface, Network Interface, Bluetooth Interface, IR Interface, Sound Card?? ... etc...) must be "alive" as well. Setting the Network Interface to be alive even when the device is powered down is a simple configuration change in the BIOS. But for the HDD - this is completely impossible with today's technology. For part of the OS to be alive, a flash based device must be at the PC's disposal. This could means SSD Disks or a sizeable on-board (mainboard) FLASH. Intel's Robson component in the new Processors could also work since it is no different from an on-board FLASH. As for the other intrface devices (USB, IR, Bluetooth, etc..) being supplied with power when the whole device is powered down, again - today's mainboards just cannot do it.
3. The nail on the coffin fo SideShow is "POWER" - as in electricity. With so many portable devices sufferring from short lifespans-per-battery-charge, SideShow will drain the lifespan even further. Here is a scenario, you bought the ASUS W5fe laptop - the first one with a SideShow dedicated secondary display. This laptop has a runtime battery life of 3 hours (this is already a highly overestimated figure). With the machine powered down but side-show activated - the laptop's battery still continues to drain. Its power level can be determined directly on the sideshow display, but its drainage is dependant on how you use SideShow.
After reading the following reviews:
http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/review/2007/04/25/Asus-W5Fe-Windows-Sideshow-Notebook/p1
http://eng.mobile01.com/newsdetail.php?id=3388
I believe that the USB interface despite being the interface of choice with the Universal, is rather impractical. A Bluetooth interface would instead be the preferred choice, but this seems rather even more impossible as far as the PC's mainboard is concerned. The reviews above have already cited USB issues when the machine is in Sleep Mode and SideShow is active which confirm the mainboard problems I have highlighted in previous posts. Additionally, the reviews refuse to put figures of power consumption and instead simply mention "lower power consumption" repeatedly. I would not be suprised if the lifespan per-battery-charge of the machine is something like 3.5 hours assuming 3 hours is the longest lifespan when the machine is fully powered up. Yes, I am saying that I am expecting the Asus machine to be marginally more "power efficient" under sideshow operation with the machine in sleep-mode, that it becomes irrelevant in the big picture.
One thing for sure is that without massive investment in the SideShow hardware required on the PC - SideShow is totally useless with today's machines already in the market.
I have a delivery for a Dell XPS M1710 machine due next week and this new machine is already incapable of accomodating SideShow.
Sideshow will wake the PC up to update info on the device.
If you have a digital photo frame that supports sideshow applets, it's irrelevant if works via wifi, bluetooth, or usb, it will recieve an update from the PC when it wakes up.
I haven't seen any Microsoft documentation to state it manages to do all of this in a sleep mode, it simply wakes up from sleep mode to update, then goes back to sleep.
That said though, I do think it's a bit pointless on a PocketPC device, you already have time, date, photos, weather, calendar & mail, as well as RSS feeds, and that covers nearly all the applets that can run on sidebar, and therefore sideshow.
I'm sure there may be a handful of users here that have a genuine need for something like this that they could not do on the pocketpc itself, but I think most people want it simply because it's an option. I also bet most of those people would get bored of it very quickly once they realise it's easier to just do it on the PPC in the first place.
One other major feature of Windows SideShow is the ability to control Windows Media Center remotely. I for one like the idea of using my Universal as a remote for my HTPC, being able to view the TV guide on my device, schedule shows to record and change the music that's currently playing for example.
MS Announced at MEDC there will be SideShowPPC
Hey,
MS reckon they are producing a software solution.
Over here: http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/showpost.aspx?postid=1660169&siteid=1
I kinda hope it works over wifi, or internet, so it can be used on the go. Seems to be a few gadgets popping up now for sideshow, too.
poedgirl said:
One other major feature of Windows SideShow is the ability to control Windows Media Center remotely. I for one like the idea of using my Universal as a remote for my HTPC, being able to view the TV guide on my device, schedule shows to record and change the music that's currently playing for example.
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Urm, not quite, the only thing SideShow adds is the ability to have a screen on the media centre remote, and therefore see things like tv guides on that.
All of the remote control functionality has been around since 2004 since Windows Media Centre came out.
The SideShow would give a display to your remote control, it would not make a display device into a remote control.
What did you guys say?
I'm not an expert, but I think this should be put in Off Topic
When I browsed here, I was looking for a way to make my Trinity to act a bit 'SideShowy', not an explanation of what SideShow is! So does someone have a clue that's NOT Off Topic?!?
Is there an application for the TP which allows for the device to be used as a HID over Bluetooth to control a desktop PC?
there are programs that let you control your desktop PC in various ways, but nothing specific for TP or the keyboard
Wow great idea, that would be nifty on my CarPC! I'm always looking for a smaller keyboard to fit there...
Can't be that hard, I'm sure someone can do that, with all the specialists we have here in this wonderful community
"can't be that hard"?
How did you come to this conclusion?
Educated guess? Or just guess?
Well it would need to modify a little bit the bluetooth stack and emulate a HID keyboard, I guess.
Tonight I'm the Jeremy Clarkson of the day, with his most famous quote: "how hard can it be?!" when obviously it is very hard to do...
So I absolutely don't mean it is an easy thing to do, but I'm sure some experts in XDA-Dev are skilled enough to do it.
Hey, a man can dream, right?
Another option is to use a program like VNC to pilot your pc from the your raphael.
Used to do it with my old ppc (Toshiba e830). This works only if the computer you want to control is also in the same network (connected either through LAN cable or wifi).
Yes, I'm aware of a number of remote control solutions, but they all require an application to be run on the PC to be controlled. I'm really looking for a solutions which is purely based on HID. Like the Sony Ericsson remote control feature on the new phones. Great for presentations and Media Player. Any ideas?
Not exactly what you were talking about but...
http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/
About the size of a lighter, and you can use it for you phone as well. (Picture attaching your phone to the TV in the back. Using your bluetooth to open a program on it. Then typing away on the scren with this "futuristic keyboard from the stars!!".... or something like that.)
that must be one of the most useless gadgets ever created
huge initial "wow" factor, but that is all
Useless? I don't know... over priced, and unnecessary maybe, but a portable full sized keyboard doesn't seem useless to me.
Have you tried it?
I have. Very stupid to tap a plain table, since you cannot feel anything (even the separation of the buttons) you make 60% mistakes.
Also, it is not even portable! You need a large flat surface to put it and to let it throw its beam.
(and one more thing to recharge)
I stand by my original wording.
nethopper said:
Yes, I'm aware of a number of remote control solutions, but they all require an application to be run on the PC to be controlled. I'm really looking for a solutions which is purely based on HID. Like the Sony Ericsson remote control feature on the new phones. Great for presentations and Media Player. Any ideas?
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Well, HID implementation in Windows also includes programs and services that start with your windows. So if you have to install only 1 program to make it run I don't think it is a big deal.
It's 3 years I use my main computer this way. As I have a projector and don't want to start it every time I installed VNC server in my main computer (freeware) and VNC client in both my laptop and PPC, and it works pretty well (especially with Vista on my laptop, it runs pretty smooth).
@NLS:
Hmm, well from that description I will have to agree with you and add useless to my definition of the product as well.
@nethopper:
Yeah if you were looking for remote solutions I would suggest Logmein.com (the free version because I am cheap). If you want something that purely converts your phones keyboard into a computer keyboard... I found ( http://en.handybyte.com/cat/system-utilities/communications/blueremote/ ) for palm devices, this ( http://en.handybyte.com/cat/system-utilities/enhancements/ppc-tablet-remote-control-suite/ ) for ppc but over TCP/IP instead of bluetooth, and a patent showing that someone *Microsoft* is working/has worked on the idea ( http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2008/0120448.html ) so the search continues
@FlippyTK: I'm aware of the VNC solution, but I'm really looking for something as slim and elegant as the software on the SE phones. There are situations where you don't want or can't install anything on the host PC.
@NetApex: Thanks, for the links. The MS patent is strange, how could they file something as obvious as this? There must be prior art... But the patent might be the reason why such a software does not exist. I guess everybody is afraid of the MS lawyers...
I'll keep searching, please let us know if you have the solution...
I'm not sure a pure HID solution is possible. If the Raphael keyboard is indeed a HID-capable device, then the phone itself is its host. Since you would have to go through the host (in this case, WM) to access the bluetooth stack, the most direct solution is a software "pass-through" program.
[edited]
The SE solution is using bluetooth HID emulation, so I will take a look into that.
For now, the TCP/IP solution shouldn't be a problem: you can setup a bluetooth PAN for TCP/IP connectivity.
For reference, one software that is closest to what you have in mind is Synergy, a similar host/client pass-through program that allows you to use one keyboard/mouse on multiple networked computers (without using hardware KVM switch, etc). It's only Windows/Mac/Unix, no PPC client, but maybe it will help point you in the right direction.
I found the following article which gives a nice overview of remote control solutions:
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/cms/blogs/3/remote_media_controllers_for_windows_mob
The software from Jerom does a nice job (http://www.jaylee.org/RemoteControl/) and I used it on my Prophet for some time. It requires for a small program to be installed on the host and it is easy to set up. But I had it hang a few times (typically in the middle of a management presentation) and therefore I abandoned it. The SE solution I had before was absolutely reliable and that's why I look for something similar for WM.
In principle, the solution is simple: Implement a HID device driver and pass key/touches to it. I did some programming for WM devices but I never tackled the bluetooth stack... there is a significant hurdle - otherwise someone else would have done this app already. ;-)
that would be cool
using the phone to open an app that is named "operate as bluetooth keyboard" and clicking start to take control of a home theater PC using teh TV as your monitor and the desktop media PC as the CPU and just using your phone as nothing more than a keyboard would be pretty slick.
golympio said:
Wow great idea, that would be nifty on my CarPC! I'm always looking for a smaller keyboard to fit there...
Can't be that hard, I'm sure someone can do that, with all the specialists we have here in this wonderful community
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If you are so much interested in a small portable keyboard, why dont you try diNovo Mini from logitech http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboards/&cl=roeu,en
Quite cool. I use it for my Media Center!
Cyber-mate said:
If you are so much interested in a small portable keyboard, why dont you try diNovo Mini from logitech http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboards/&cl=roeu,en
Quite cool. I use it for my Media Center!
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That is cool, but also pricey
UP!!!!!
Hey, I'm a developer who already has this program that does complex data entry, designed for field service reporting. The problem is it was written for Windows Mobile 5 (which is no longer supported) and runs on old HP iPAQ's (hardware that is no longer being manufactured or sold). There are only about 30 units on the field and I have enough backup units to keep the company running for a little while, but a more long term solution is in order.
I've been looking around for a new device that does what I need.
Really all that's needed is Wi-Fi capability (which applies for most everything out there anyways), built-in database (which I thought was widespread but apparently isn't included in Windows Phone 7), and a touchscreen (for signature capturing purposes). It could be a phone, tablet, pda, eda, or really anything.
Now,this seems like a forum with a bunch of veteran developers for a wide range of mobile computing products. Do you guys have any good recommendations for what device would be good/cost effective? It doesn't have to be the same programming language and porting it is no problem, I just need ideas on what devices would be good for the job.
Hi,
is there a displayLink Software for the RT?? I have an Dockingstation with an extern SCreen and i really would like to use it, but this will only work with DisplayLink Software. So is there a solution for the RT??
Thanks a lot
HandyBesitzer said:
Hi,
is there a displayLink Software for the RT?? I have an Dockingstation with an extern SCreen and i really would like to use it, but this will only work with DisplayLink Software. So is there a solution for the RT??
Thanks a lot
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Nope- no DDK for WinRT, so no one can make third-party hardware that doesn't fit the preloaded driver set:
http://www.displaylink.com/support/ticket.php?id=335
Well, no public DDK. There's (quite obviously) an internal one, and it has apparently been shared with certain partners, and a copy of it has leaked onto the Internet and been found (and occasionally used) in various places. That said, even if a commercial outfit were willing to entertain the use of such a thing, they would need to get the resulting driver signed by Microsoft for it to be installable on non-"jailbroken" RT devices.
this signing thing is really terrible. is there a chace to get such a driver in future??
GoodDayToDie said:
Well, no public DDK. There's (quite obviously) an internal one, and it has apparently been shared with certain partners, and a copy of it has leaked onto the Internet and been found (and occasionally used) in various places. That said, even if a commercial outfit were willing to entertain the use of such a thing, they would need to get the resulting driver signed by Microsoft for it to be installable on non-"jailbroken" RT devices.
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Right, so effectively no DDK for general peripheral manufacturers to use unless MS decides otherwise for that device-- hence the situation with USB Ethernet adapters (and the driver that Plugable released then had to pull).
I'm a bit puzzled by the situation-- if MS' concern is that poor drivers would affect the WinRT user experience, then presumably they could enforce a testing process (as they already have w/ WHQL) and only allow driver delivery through Windows Update.
As it stands, WinRT devices, running full-blown Windows, are ironically far less useful in custom applications than iPads, which have all sorts of accessories available. Why wouldn't MS want WinRT to be usable in, say, medical settings? (even iPhones, let alone iPads, can connect to hardware accessories like medical sensors).
Android's also catching up quickly in the accessories space, and it's only a matter of time before iOS/Android destroy any advantage MS had w/ hardware manufacturers, as happened so dramatically in the software space (there are now so many more devs who've worked with iOS and Android than have with modern MS platforms).
Well, for accessories that just need "traditional" data I/O - things like what you might have done over a serial port in days of yore - you can easily use either BlueTooth or the audio jack (although the latter is a real hack, usually used only for very small dongles powered by the audio signal). The iPad is definitely less extensible with third-party hardware (note, accessorizable != extensible) than RT, but I fully agree with you that Microsoft's stance on RT drivers is just plain weird. Keep the pool smallish and/or WHQL-test the crap out of them, but make them available! Those USB ports can and should be a killer feature.
The audio channels available on many consumer devices are often perfect for bit banging various communications protocols. UART "emulation" has often been done on the headset jack with a level shifter and some trickery, often on android devices much less powerful than the surface RT (seen a demo on an 800MHz single core ARMv6 handset). If your willing to sacrifice audio output from your application on the RT (as it is being used for bit banging the UART) then you essentially have a plug and play serial port without any special drivers needed, your application just needs to be able to generate an audio signal and analyse an input. the peripheral will need an external power supply but this is common on many legacy RS232 applications too.
There is the bluetooth serial port profile. Thats often used as a replacement for RS232 or UART. I dont know if windows RT supports it though (someone would have to check).
Another trick I have seen involves a microcontroller with USB capabilities. I have seen examples of people setting a microcontroller to appear as USB mass storage and having a small file system with 1 plain text file. Writing into this text file from windows or linux etc would then cause the microcontroller to perform a particular operation in response. Sensors can also be read by the microcontroller causing it to update the text file too. You essentially have file based GPIO without.
Its all rather hacky but it works technically.
There is also an i2c bus on the RT keyboard connector.
Hello
I am currently working on a project that requires digital signage. I was hoping that a combination with a android dongle (ideally with eth port) and some sort of software would work. has anyone got any real life experiences with this sort of setup and what could you recommend? All i need it to do is to refresh a website with stats, monitoring as well as display RSS feeds and so on. I know about Xibo but not sure how easy this would be to use.
any recommendation on hardware / software would be greatly appreciated.
I can help
Are you using a monitor or tv for this? How big are you going to go? P.M. Me with some more specifics. I have experimented with this and have a few good setups. The main consideration would be How Much do you want to spend?
Rick
I don't know if it would fit your needs, but check out RiseVision for a no-charge signage solution. They also sell hardware, but that's not a requirement to run their software for free as the source of your signage. They have software clients for Linux, Windows and Chromebook and you can find 3rd-party apps on the Play Store to run on Android.
I'm still looking for a nice, inexpensive Android Stick to hook up my account to a TV. So far, I've tried it on a Windows PC and a Nexus7 and both work great.
SideWynder said:
I don't know if it would fit your needs, but check out RiseVision for a no-charge signage solution. They also sell hardware, but that's not a requirement to run their software for free as the source of your signage. They have software clients for Linux, Windows and Chromebook and you can find 3rd-party apps on the Play Store to run on Android.
I'm still looking for a nice, inexpensive Android Stick to hook up my account to a TV. So far, I've tried it on a Windows PC and a Nexus7 and both work great.
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Click to collapse
thanks for the responses... We will be using Samsung DM48D screens which are magic info enabled as well. At present i am playing around with Xibo and a Dell Wyse Cloud connect dongle.
Ideally I want to control the android dongle as well but I have yet to find a way to root the Wyse CC dongle and stick a VNC server on it or similar. The RiseVision is a great idea however the information (sales stats dashboards) we want to display are sensitive and not externally available hence a cloud solution wouldn't work I believe.
holgmaster said:
Hello
I am currently working on a project that requires digital signage. I was hoping that a combination with a android dongle (ideally with eth port) and some sort of software would work. has anyone got any real life experiences with this sort of setup and what could you recommend? All i need it to do is to refresh a website with stats, monitoring as well as display RSS feeds and so on. I know about Xibo but not sure how easy this would be to use.
any recommendation on hardware / software would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PQ Labs with their iStick range specialise in Android sticks for signage and they also produce one with an ethernet port.
Could be dont using cloud-based Content Management System
All you need is a web-based content management system like "MobiLock Presentations" that allows you to monitor and control single or a fleet of digital signage displays right from a desktop or laptop.