Software10.11.2008
Windows 7 shipping November 2009?
Microsoft director Doug Howe recently said that for Microsoft the "holiday focus is going to be on 7".
While Microsoft has been firm in its resolve to not give an official release date for Windows 7, Howe’s comments are an indication that the software giant is aiming to release its new operating system next year.
The official line from Microsoft is that it plans to release Windows 7 within three years of Vista’s January 2007 consumer release.
The company has already confirmed that it will be shipping the beta version of Windows 7 early next year.
Windows 7 user location tracking
One of the features confirmed for Windows 7 is user location tracking. This should save users from constantly having to enter location information in websites.
"There are so many times you have to enter where you are at," said Microsoft program manager Alec Berntson.
Theoretically, location tracking will help with many user interface applications. Internet searches are often relevant to location, and often users will type in their location to specify their search results.
The location tracker would allow certain applications to request information regarding the user’s whereabouts which would theoretically result in a more personalised and relevant Internet experience.
The service has however raised questions regarding privacy.
It will be possible to deactivate the service altogether. However, users will not have the option to partly activate it by controlling which applications are able to gain access to user location details.
This all or nothing approach has been widely criticised.
Berntson acknowledged the criticism: "We only promise the control that we can realistically give to them, rather than trying to promise more than we can deliver."
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