One of the coolest features in Windows Vista (for Media Center users anyway) is SideShow. This new protocol lets you interact with your PC from a secondary device. For example, there are a handful of pricey remote controls that let you browse your media library and play music or movies without turning on your primary display. But these are niche devices for serious home theater enthusiasts who are willing to spend over a hundred dollars on a remote control.

But what if you could turn your PDA or cellphone into a SideShow device? We've been hearing for ages that Microsoft plans to add SideShow features to Windows Mobile devices, but it looks like Ikanos Consulting has beat them to the punch. The company is beta testing its Go Gadgets software that lets you use any Windows Mobile 5.0/6 phone or PDA as a SideShow device. That means you can use it as a remote control, or if you're away from home, you can schedule TV recordings, check a grocery list, or access other features on your home PC.

Ikanos is also developing an iPhone compatible version of its software. While turning an Apple product into a Windows SideShow device might sound a bit crazy, it actually makes a lot of sense. Ikanos is developing a web-based service for interacting with Windows Vista SideShow. And since Apple's vision for the iPhone was all about web-based software applications, all Ikanos has to do is ensure that their service works well with the iPhone's Safari browser. The iPhone application isn't available for download yet, but you can grab a beta of the Windows Mobile by emailing Ikanos at beta _at_ ikanosconsulting.com.

Check out a video demonstration of the Windows Mobile software after the jump.

[via Mobility Site]

How much would you be willing to pay for an attractive remote control that lets you interact with your media center PC even when your monitor or TV set is turned off? If you said upward of $250, have I got the remote control for you.

Sure, you can pick up a low end PC for less these days, but... yeah, I've got no but. That's just a lot of money any way you slice it. Still, if you've got $274 burning a hole in your pocket, you can preorder Ricavision's new VAVE100 SideShow remote control.

What makes the VAVE100 so special?

• Universal learning remote control capable of controlling over 20 different devices from 50 feet away via IR
  
• BlueTooth enabled with support for audio streaming
• 2.4 inch 240 x 320 pixel LCD display
• Windows Media Center support
• SideShow support (meaning you can use it as a secondary display for a Vista PC

The VAVE100 won't actually be available until late February. Ricavision is also announcing the VAVE50 remote control with support for Windows Vista Media Center, but no SideShow features. It's not clear yet how much the VAVE50 will cost or when it will be available for purchase.

[via Chris Lanier]

One of the coolest underutilized features of Windows Vista is SideShow. Essentially, SideShow lets you access certain Vista feature from a secondary display. For example, check your email or calendar on your laptop without actually opening your lid. Or better yet, schedule a recording in Windows Media Center using a touch panel on the front of your PC case.

But very few hardware makers have really taken advantage of SideShow. We don't see it in many media center remote controls, which is where it would really come in handy for a PVR nut.

But the::unwired suggests that we could be seeing a whole lot more SideShow action soon if Microsoft develops a SideShow application for Windows Mobile. Suddenly your phone or PDA could turn into an awesome remote control for your Windows Media Center. You'd be able to play music, schedule recordings, or perform other basic actions without turning your TV on.

There've been inklings that Microsoft was going to launch a Windows Mobile version of SideShow since May. But now that Microsoft has released a new SideShow SDK that features support for QVGA screens and Bluetooth (read: features that many Windows Mobile devices already have), we wouldn't be surprised if a full release was just around the corner.

[via Engadget]

If you're in the market for a new Windows Media Center-compatible remote control, it looks like you can pick up a new Ricavision remote for $30. Actually, you can get the remote for $7, but if you want a Bluetooth/RC6 infrared receiver too you'll have to find $30 in your couch cushions for the bundle.

We first heard about these new remotes from Ricavision way back in February, so it's good to see that they're finally shipping. But it would also be nice if Ricavision would get around to shipping the high-end Sideshow remotes they promised last year.

Sideshow is a new protocol that lets devices like internet tablets and remote controls interact with Windows Vista machines to display things like program guides, music playlists, and weather forecasts on an LCD display without turning on your PC monitor. Somehow we suspect Ricavision's Sideshow-enabled remote controls will cost a bit more than $30.

[via Chris Lanier]

Ricavision is adding to its lineup of Microsoft SideShow capable products with a refrigerator magnets. Yes, a refrigerator magnet.

SideShow is a technology that lets you control some functions on a Windows Vista PC even if the monitor is turned off. Several manufacturers including Ricavision have announced television remote controls with SideShow capabilities for controlling controlling your Windows Media Center PC, playing music, and browsing your electronic program guide even when your television set is off.

Ricavision's new MK140 FM Magnet can be attached to a refrigerator and you can use it to play music or movies on your PC. Or you can use the "scribbler" functions to send handwritten notes on the 3.5-inch QVGA touchscreen using a stylus. Those notes can be kept on the device or sent to your PC.

Of course, you don't have to attach the magnet to your fridge. You could probably wall mount it in the living room as a media center controller. Or you could always put it on the beer fridge next to your video game chair.

Ricavision is working on a couple of new remote controls designed for Windows Vista.

The one on the left is a Vista remote meant to work with your PC. The middle remote is a Multifunction model, designed to control your PC and basic TV operations like powering up and down, flipping channels and controlling the volume. The guy all the way on the right is a universal remote control that can be programmed to control our PC, TV, PVR, VCR, or anything else you might want to throw at it.

Ricavision's also got some fancy Sideshow capable remotes in the works, and I'm much more excited about those. While these multifunction remotes let you control your PC and TV, the Sideshow remote will include an LCD display that lets you control your PC even when you're television is turned off, allowing you to check your program guide, schedule recordings, or even listen to music without powering up your TV or monitor.

[via Chris Lanier]

Sure, those new SideShow-enabled remote controls look pretty cool. But what if you don't want to leave your computer on all the time just so you can do nifty things like check out an electronic program guide on your remote control?

The tvCompass remote control includes 802.11b/g, a 2.2-inch QVGA LCD, and a speaker for listening to audio alerts or sound files. You can control multiple devices, and can even receive equipment codes and electronic program guide data over the air. Your data can be backed up to a tvCompass network server.

You can also use the built in WiFi to access games, videos, and web content directly on the remote control.

No info on pricing or availability just yet, but I'd say it'll make the Logitech Harmony remote look cheap.

[via Mobile Magazine]