One of the best designed Microsoft Vista Sideshow enabled devices so far seems to be the MSI MegaPlayer 529 MP3 player. Apparently, the design was so good, Dell wanted to brand it under their name, but apparently backed out. The hardware device might be manufactured by MSI, but it runs NVIDIA's preface platform (formerly known as www.portalplayer.com). These wonderful devices can act as a MP3 player as well as an fully compliant Vista SideShow device. ...[Read more »]

As first reported by CNET's Jasmine France, it seems that Dell is prepping an MP3 player with support for Vista's Sideshow protocol. This rumor is not confirmed, but if true, we should see this device in action at CES probably at Dell's or Microsoft's booth. Little by little, more and more devices will be be able to talk with your PC, providing you, the user, with realtime information on virtually any type of hardware device that has a display. You can read Jasmine's full article at this URL: http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9671193-1.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Crave

Also spotted was a Japanase web page showing an interesting prototype of MSI's MegaPlayer model 529. This prototoype was running Portal's Player "preface" system. As previously reported, Portal Player's Preface system, a complete Vista Sideshow hardware and software solution can be found at http://www.portalplayer.com. Or read our article at http://www.sideshowdevices.com/portalplayers-sideshow-preface-platform. Here is a higher resolution picture of MSI's Mega 529 player.  Click on title for more pictures. ...[Read more »]