Software developer Stardock Corporation has released DesktopX 2.2. DesktopX is a desktop enhancement utility that lets users and developers add new features to their Windows desktop. These features can increase productivity, usability and even make the Windows desktop more fun to work with.
DesktopX can be used to add and create mini-applications for the desktop called “widgets.” It can also be used to add “live objects” to the desktop that can enhance or replace existing Windows icons. In fact complete desktops may be built from scratch with DesktopX.
What makes DesktopX special is the ease of creating content for it. Popular widgets such as weather monitors, stock tickers, system information, search bars, calendars, calculators, etc. can be created by end users with the integrated GUI based development tools. Once created, these mini-applications can be exported as widgets and shared with others on the Internet via websites such as WinCustomize.com.
DesktopX 2.2 includes a powerful graphics engine that allows for fluid animation and high performance while using very little memory or CPU, creating endless possibilities for content. DesktopX 2.2 also introduces a new feature called overlays. An overlay is a series of widgets used together to create an alternative desktop. When the user hits a hot key, the overlay appears on top of the user’s applications allowing the user to make use of those widgets. When done, hitting the hot key again will make the widgets disappear. This allows users to add a great deal of new functionality to their existing Windows desktop without it interfering with the way they are used to running Windows.
Users can download DesktopX at www.desktopx.net. DesktopX Basic is free. DesktopX Enhanced adds support for advanced widgets and objects and is priced at $19.95.