In Vista, there are five default gadgets which are already pre-configured for the standard user. An overview of the gadgets installed by default is seen below:

 A very simple RSS news aggregator (I always think of alligator when I write that…) which displays RSS or XML feeds from a website. Easily configurable and links in with Windows Internet Explorer 7 as well, so you can see all of your favourite feeds from inside this little gadget window.

 The Slide Show - you can configure it to find and display images in any particular folder you wish, and when you hover over the image that’s displayed, you can also scroll through them one by one.

 Even the Recycle Bin is mentioned - with a variety of bin designs to choose from, you can add this handy gadget to your Sidebar. Just by hovering over it can you tell how many files are there, how much space the files are consuming and you can even empty it with the click of a button. Not to mention, the bin actually looks empty when there are no files in there - how cool!

 The Sidebar Clock - only in analogue format, however you can configure it to have a second hand on it for more accurate timing. There are many styles of clocks and you can even change the timezone of it or have multiple clocks. This is ideal if you have to keep up with people in a different timezone.

Updated for Beta 2 (build 5384)
Since the Beta 2 release, they’ve added a calculator gadget capable of the Standard Calculator that ships with Vista, a CPU and memory monitor which visually changes depending on your system resources, a currency converter which updates itself with the latest exchange rates (as long as you have Internet connectivity). You also have a notes gadget which enables you to create and save quick notes on your sidebar, a number puzzle which you have to arrange the numbers from 1 to 15 by clicking on them as well as a similar picture puzzle which is based on the same concept. The slideshow has been enhanced to expand once you take it off the sidebar, as well as an added stocks and timer function to keep good track of time.