If you like Vista’s and Windows 7’s desktop widgets and sidebar (they are much better in Windows 7, by the way), AND you have a D-Link wireless router, you might want to take a look at this.  D-Link has updated their desktop widget and its now available for download at their website.

Thankfully, they have widgets for Vista/Windows 7, the Mac Dashboard and Yahoo! Widgets. If you’re interested, you MUST have a D-Link wireless router, or the widget won’t work.  I’ve tried it on my Linksys router, and all I see is the big “D.”

The full press release can be found after the break…

D-LINK OFFERS UPDATED DESKTOP WIDGET FOR MONITORING ITS POPULAR 802.11n WI-FI ROUTERS

Supports Yahoo! Widgets, Vista Gadgets and Mac Dashboard for Monitoring Speeds of Internet, Wi-Fi and Network, and More

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., May 27, 2009 – D-Link, the end-to-end networking solutions provider for consumer and business, today announced the availability of a next-generation desktop widget that allows users to monitor any D-Link® 802.11n Wi-Fi routers to monitor Internet and network send/receive rates, along with other settings of the home network including security settings and network name.

Widgets are interactive virtual tools that have grown significantly in popularity, providing single-purpose services such as showing the user the latest news, the current weather, the time, a calendar, a dictionary, a map program, a calculator, desktop notes, photo viewers, or even a language translator, among other things.

The D-Link Network Monitor v2.0 is a free download that supports Yahoo! Widgets, Vista Gadgets and Mac Dashboard. Available at www.dlink.com/widget, it conveniently displays a gauge-style real-time read out of network performance on the user’s desktop.

The updated network-monitoring tool is compatible with all D-Link 802.11n routers, including the popular Xtreme N® routers such as the DIR-655, DIR-855, and DGL-4500. Users can visit support.dlink.com to determine which free firmware upgrade is required for specific router models.

“We’re aware that our customers demand more from their home networks, including the ability to monitor real-time performance of Wi-Fi transmissions and Internet speeds, which is important for those looking to maximize performance.” said Daniel Kelley, senior director of marketing for D-Link Systems, Inc. “We continue to build value-added features into our home networking products such as SharePort™ USB device sharing, D-Link Green™ technology, and now broad availability of the network monitoring widgets to give our customers the best experience possible as they build out their digital home.”

About D-Link

D-Link is the global leader in connectivity for small, medium and large enterprise business networking. The company continues to strive for excellence as an award winning designer, developer, and manufacturer of networking, broadband, digital electronics, voice and data communications solutions for the digital home, Small Office/Home Office (SOHO), Small to Medium Business (SMB), and Workgroup to Enterprise environments. With millions of networking and connectivity products manufactured and shipped, D-Link is a dominant market participant and price/performance leader in the networking and communications market. D-Link Systems, Inc. headquarters are located at 17595 Mt. Herrmann Street, Fountain Valley, CA, 92708. Phone (800) 326-1688 or (714) 885-6000; FAX (866) 743-4905; Internet www.dlink.com.