Finally, I have created a radio gadget for the Google Desktop. This is one gadget that was missing from Google's inventory. Feel free to email me or subscribe to the Google Group at the bottom of the page. Enjoy!

I want people to start using the Google Group more so anyone can find an answer to a question they might have or propose a question or even a feature. So please join and I will also be updating there with news and features. Thank you!

Features

• *New* - Added the ability to play the 10 most recent podcasts from the pull out menu. Just place your favorite podcast rss in the options dialog and it will show the 10 recent podcasts that can play directly in the Sidebar Radio!  You must have the Podcast checkbox checked off to work.  By default, the podcast chosen is the Preston and Steve show from WMMR in Philadelphia. (11/02/07)
•  *New* - Updated the context menu for a shortcut to allow the podcast to show in the pull out menu. (11/02/07)
• *New* - If in the expanded mode with the Podcast enabled, you can still choose a radio station to play from the expanded section and have the ability to chose a podcast from the pull out menu. (11/02/07)
  
• Revamped the look just a bit. If you click on the Artist name, the gadget will expand at the bottom and show the ten stations. You can also expand it by the check box in the options menu as well. This shortcut can be disabled in the options menu. (9/19/07)
• Updated the pull out menu. I made it so it updates the station names each time it is opened. Also, added the background color to be the same as the gadget itself. (9/19/07)
• The text now can only be aligned at the left. I switched the way it was displayed because the way I have it set up now, only the text is clickable and not the entire "row" of text. (9/19/07)
• Removed the progress bar thumb image. It functions the same way as it always has. It looks a bit classier now. (9/19/07)
• Due to the oversight that you can completely make the gadget disappear, I changed the way you change to opacity. It is now a pull down menu. (9/19/07)
• Changed some colors and changed the way the color is now selected. (9/19/07)
• Added the ability to fast forward and rewind 10 seconds. This option will only be enabled if the file has a set duration. Click on the time start to rewind or click on the time end to fast forward. (5/11/07)
  
• Added the ability to change the background colors. Current colors available are: blue, brown, forest green, green, navy blue, orange, peach, pink, purple, red, teal & yellow. (4/07/07)
• Added in the options section the ability to change the gadget's opacity. (4/06/07)
• Fixed the images. Made the background image rounded. (4/06/07)
• Revamped the look of the gadget. Added new buttons on the bottom, a progress bar for media files & a new line for the title of the current media playing. Also, added two timers. One counts up from play and the other counts down from play. Only start will work for streaming media while both will work for media files. (2/01/07)
• Gadget allows for easy play of media files. You can play any file that is able to be played with Windows Media Player. When playing a playlist file (.pls) you can move forward or backward in the list. (2/01/07)
• With the addition of the previous and next buttons, you can now use those to scroll through your radio stations or media files. (2/01/07)
• Updated the options menu with 'browse' buttons to find media files on your computer. (2/01/07)

• Added a link to a list of URLs that people have asked me to get. (1/08/07)
• I updated the layout and the options just a bit. The text can not be aligned to the left or right. Also, you can now flip the entire layout. (1/08/07)
  
• Added clickable shortcuts to the Station Name and Activity Status. If the Station Name is clicked a pull out window will show the radio stations that you can click to change the stations. If the Activity Status is clicked it will bring up the options menu. These shortcuts can be turned on or off through the options menu. (1/08/07)

• Made minor adjustments. Fixed bad link to the ESPN Radio, deleted ESPN News and added a new station. If you hadn't installed it before on your computer then you are ok. If you want the new station URLs that are here: (11/25/06)
  • Y-Rock On XPN - http://xpn-web.streamguys.com/yrock96.asx
  • ESPN Radio - http://espnrad.vo.llnwd.net/o10/espnradio/espnradio061027.asx
• Can now edit radio stations from the options menu! (11/14/06)
• Added the activity status information. (11/12/06)
• Can be docked or undocked. (10/28/06)
• Has a volume slider. Click on the speakers to mute or have full volume.(10/28/06)
• Shows the title of radio station (which you name) that is currently playing.(10/28/06)
• Can be fully controlled by the context menu. (10/28/06)
• Easy to use interface.(10/28/06)

How To Find The Streaming URL (updated 12/31/06)

If using Mozilla Firefox:

• Open up the radio station in the browser
• Right click somewhere in the browser and hit "View Page Info."
• Click the "media" tab and see which one is the streaming radio station. The type will be an embedded object (application/x-mplayer2).
• Copy that URL into the URL text box in the options menu in the gadget. Also, change the name of the station.
• DON'T FORGET TO HIT THE "CHANGE" BUTTON. There is no more change button. All of your settings will now be saved when you hit 'Ok'.
• Click ok and your all set.

If using Microsoft Internet Explorer

• GOOD LUCK! Get Mozilla Firefox. It is much better.
• Really though, it depends on how the stream comes through the internet. If you can see the Windows Media Player control bar then you can right click and hit properties and the address may be shown. I really can't help you too much with it beacuse I can't even seem to figure it out.

If you still can't figure out the URL, go to the Sidebar Radio Google Group at the bottom of the page and post the website and I or someone else will get it for you.

Google Group