Microsoft Gadgets

Microsoft seems to be getting a bit of the “me too” syndrome with their Gadgets feature. Gadgets are a similar in function to Yahoo’s Konfabulator and Apple’s Dashboard. However, based on the MS Gadgets blog, it looks like they have plans for Gadgets to be more than just widgets. While the idea sounds really cool, the examples given seem a bit misguided. An embedded messaging display in a keyboard? A task list mini-display on the outside of a laptop? Cool to be sure, but useful? I think not. After all, when was the last time you actually looked down at your keyboard while using the computer? (not including the hunt-n-peck folks) If I were MS, I’d put a little more thought into function, and a little less into flash.