Windows 7 variants

Microsoft will be producing at least three different versions of Windows 7, including ones specific for netbooks, sub-notebooks, one for consumers, and one for enterprise users. Following the introduction yesterday at the CES keynote, a new report by CNET UK says that the software giant confirmed the multiple variants in a one-on-one briefing at Microsoft's London offices this week. The publication notes that the netbook version likely would not be made available to consumers, but would likely only be made available to OEM manufacturers of such devices.

According to the report, Microsoft also confirmed other new Windows 7 features, including the extension of its disk-encrypting technology BitLocker to USB thumb drives, allowing users to encrypt and protect documents on the external devices as well as open them on other Windows 7 machines by entering a password. Microsoft will reportedly also offer an update to Windows Vista to allow users to at least unlock and read/view files on the drives (however, the company could confirm whether the same decrypt and view functions would be available on Windows XP).

Microsoft will also be integrating other advanced functions into the Windows 7 OS, including support for GPS functions and light sensors. This would allow the system (and running applications) to determine its location without third-party software; the system would then pass this information to other application requesting such details-- such the system's Weather widget.

Finally, Microsoft confirmed that Windows 7 would no longer feature a "sidebar" for widgets and that they would be integrated directly on the desktop.

by MacNN Staff