Windows Gadgets - The Cooler Ones

Windows Gadgets first appeared on the scene in the new sidebar feature of Windows Vista. They are like mini applications that can, for example, display RSS feeds, rotate pictures or monitor your computer's CPU performance. You can see the basic set of Windows Vista gadgets below:

On the right is a snapshot of the side bar of our family computer. The calendar, clock and weather gadgets are the most useful.

I hardly look at the CPU dial gauges and the photo gadget you can see is just a token gadget that serves no larger than purpose than displaying photos. Pretty basic really.

The Sidebar was removed in Windows 7. Gadgets can now be placed and moved around on to any location on the desktop. Microsoft actually started referring to the gadgets as "Windows Desktop Gadgets" to emphasize the point. You can also change the opacity of the gadgets if you don't want them to block out too much of your background picture.

You still get the basic set with Windows, but now you can get heaps of cooler desktop gadgets online. You can even make your own!

Ultimate Explorer - Search the many sites straight from your desktop. Very convenient. Your search results can either open in your browser or fly out to the side of your gadget, still on your desktop.

Facebook Explorer - See your friend's status updates, comment, like etc in a browser-less environment.

Twitter Explorer - to follow me @marcofratelli :)

Blogger Buddy - blog on blogger.com from your desktop.

Amazon Explorer / eBay Explorer - shop online and keep an eye on your bids.

Piano - play the keyboard using your keyboard! Personally I think this gadget is better suited to the touch screen of the iPad.

iPhone Battery Gadget - a pretty neat gadget replica of the iPhone's battery monitor for your laptop!

Tic-Tac-Toe Gadget - pretty self explanatory fun!

Traffic (by Bing Maps) - see real time traffic conditions in your area.

Fart Button - childish fun!

FML - view random fmylife.com stories! (Always entertaining!)

Say It! - a text to speech gadget, you can piss yourself laughing at the little things!

Daily Dilbert - what can I say? I'm an engineer :)

Yes you can.

If you have a great idea for a gadget that no one has made yet, this article explains how to go about making your own desktop gadget for Windows Vista or Windows 7 for free and in the simplest way possible. It requires no knowledge of any programming languages.

I'm thinking people might have use for some desktop gadgets such as:

• Term paper completer!
• "Inspector Gadget" gadget (for the 80s kids!)
• Permanent File Shredder (EDIT: Found one here)
  

Any takers? :)

BROWSE THE WINDOWS LIVE GALLERY FOR MORE GADGETS.