As Tim Cutting noted at CES with Ian Dixon, they are releasing their Companion Basic software for free to all Vista Media Center users.  Companion Basic supports My Music, My Pictures, and My Remote but doesn’t include Extender control support or TV functionality.

You can install the Companion software on any Windows XP, Windows Vista, or UMPC machine (touchscreen or laptop being the best options), the Niveus Control Server Basic installs on Windows Vista only.

To download Companion Basic you will need to register for a free account at Niveus Media’s new Companion forum.

Update: Read Full Press Release