come on microsoft if you are gonna half ass something don't bother.

lilaliendog

"Christmas list for future stuff"??? i would expect one better for Windows 7

redspectre

so let me get this straight - when Firefox has it, it's cool, but if MS adds it in (and it's disabled by default!) it is a problem?

natenovs

Maybe I'm just not using my imagination, but why is it a massive security risk for a program on your computer to know where your computer is?

And even if that is a massive security risk somehow, then why is the system-wide service opening up a hole that wasn't already present by having a GPS device installed with regular drivers? Couldn't your malware just access that hardware without telling you anyway?

chefgon

I wonder how big of a problem this will actually become if there isn't some kind of fix for it.

Ibelieveinsandwitches

@lilaliendog: exactly, i don't understand why would they implement this feature if its not fully complete.. don't they ever learn!

sarwatmj

Shouldn't ALL information be controlled on program-by-program basis by now?

tobz1000

@natenovs: Microsoft is offering no controls to the user beyond fully on or fully off. Irresponsible.

Red_Flag

I guess people should start paying attention to what programs they keep on their computers. Can we not take any ownership of security on our own systems?

hagrun

@natenovs: At [mozillalinks.org] it looks like Firefox will ask you permission to send coordinates each time a website requests it, plus it has the option to dilute the coordinates to 1 mile. Do you see the difference or are you blindly defending Microsoft?

WB

@natenovs: In firefox's case, it asks you every time a website tries to access your geolocation.

PotentChr0nic

@natenovs: adding it in, and appropriately developing a system level control center, to manage applications are 2 very different things.

odnet

@lilaliendog: what about vista?

odnet

@natenovs: Microsoft is offering no controls to the user beyond fully on or fully off. Irresponsible.

Red_Flag

@Fourthletter: What about WIFI? Geolocation uses wifi too you know.

zimstyles

@Red_Flag: Sorry, that got replied to the wrong post. My bad. >_<

Red_Flag

This would never have happened if Lucius Fox still worked at Microsoft.

frigg

So which computers or laptops come with GPS preinstalled ?
Gps is added with a USB dongle or a bluetooth device.
So you just UNPLUG IT !

Fourthletter

@WB: um, the thing isnt even enabled? and the OS is in pre-beta form. maybe, when they add in permissions, they'll enable it! dont you see something wrong with blindly criticizing everything MS makes?

natenovs

@Ibelieveinsandwitches:
For what I read in the note I don't see it as a problem at all!
You don't need to fix anything!.
You enable a system wide GPS API so any program can access the data.
ANY PROGRAM that YOU the user install. No some random spyware or malware.

To that effect, any spyware and malware that gets installed by itself (because you are an idiot for not installing anti-virus, malware, etc. protection) can certainly do more harm to your data, bank account, etc...that just learn your GPS coordinates.

Imagine if you would, allowing hard drive access to certain applications only, so a virus cannot access your data in drive X.
Well guess what?... it does not exist, ALL drives are always system-wide accessible in Windows, Macs and Linuxs.
What seems to be the problem then?
An API that allows GPS data in system wide use?

Seems people already start looking for problems in Windows 7 where they do not exist.

aec007

@Fourthletter: Basically every wireless connection (HSPA, EDGE, GSM, WIFI, GPS and etc..) has the ability to pin-point you
so you just have to unplug everything that can trace you

TBM-Fan

@Red_Flag: they arent offering anything. they sent a pre-beta build to developers to test their apps. and this feature wasnt enabled.

natenovs

Odds that Giz & others are blowing this out of proportion by not having enough information? 10:1.

The_Gas_Man

@The_Gas_Man:

++

And if it did ask you every time a program wanted to access GPS information, then it would be annoying. Does no one remember the UAC fiasco? You can't have it both ways.

radeon21

"As a close comparison, when an application requests access to geographic information in the iPhone 3G, the operating system asks you for permission first. This happens on an application by application basis, every time it runs."

FALSE!!! The application prompts the first 3 launches. No management console to revoke permissions by application after that point.

Dyltone

@aec007: Gizmodo??... looking for problems in Windows??... where they do not exist?

...you've been here before, haven't you?

oranges

*hugs his Ubuntu installs a little closer*
I think I just realized how important free software is to me. I do not like the idea of these things being in my operating system AT ALL.

Great, it's turned off by default. Okay... Well, let's start a pool of bets on when the first Windows 7 virus turns this feature on and starts harvesting data and selling it to people.

That may seem paranoid, but I bet you money if this feature is implemented as it is described above, something along those lines COULD HAPPEN.

I don't want it turned off by default, I want the option to NOT HAVE IT AT ALL.

tandonmiir

They'll fix it. If anything Microsoft is more known for going overboard with security prompts.

centipedex

They guy just said the user level screening of aps using GPS is "not on the roadmap".

So this isn't an issue of just a beta missing the final polish. It is a design level error.

Listen, I want MS to get it's shit together. This is not inspiring confidence. And honestly guys, you don't have to defend MS. Really, they don't care about you. They DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU!

rudolphdude

not in there f*ing roadmap! well add it in !! or make windows 7 late like two days, or something, don't just leave it and hope nobody touches it, and if you arent going to touch it don't make it worse by telling everyone!! seriuously microsoft wtf!!?

takemetoyourtoaster

Like someone above me said, if you don't have a GPS installed, why care? How many people have GPS's installed on their laptops/desktops? Probably less than 1% of the population. And when you're indoors, you can't get a GPS signal anyway. So when you're indoors, your GPS doesn't work.

CamilleStag

@radeon21: I don't find it annoying that my iPhone asks me when an app wants to use my location, you just hit "ok". The UAC fiasco is not the same thing. UAC happens with the stupidest things. I'm the admin and only account on my computer, why should it ask me for my permission to, for instance, turn off file sharing on a network when I'm the admin. That doesn't make sense. Making a notification that a program or website wants to know where I am located...in real life...that's pretty damn important to me. In these days of massive hacks and identity theft, one more security threat is not needed, and not appreciated from such a huge company like Microsoft. Not to mention, if Apple can implement it on a cell phone, then why can't Microsoft just throw in a little notification, it can't be that difficult.

MadCow234

@CamilleStag: It was said in a comment farther up, but everything from EDGE to wi-fi can pinpoint you. That's how location triangulation works on the 1st gen iPhone. It takes data from GSM towers you are close to, adds in the data from the nearest wi-fi hot-spots, and grabs your location. In other words, every time I'm on the wi-fi at school, which is everyday, someone somewhere could possibly know where I am without me having to give them permission. I don't like the idea of that. And people can say it's paranoia all they want. Like I said in a reply a little farther up...in today's world where hacking and identity theft are everyday occurrences, another security threat like this just isn't okay, IMHO.

MadCow234

@Fourthletter:

You can bet GPS will be a standard feature on laptops when Windows 7 is released.

Valicore

@natenovs:

What? Blindly criticizing everything MS makes? No, read the article dude. He said they didn't PLAN on fixing it at ANY point in Windows 7's release process, it wont be fixed in the final release! If for nothing else than their own reputation they should handle that better. Don't defend every mistake MS makes dude.

Valicore

@tandonmiir:
Ludite.

"OMG I'm so glad I don't have an internet connection otherwise people might know things about me."

Might as well stop using your credit card too. Because it might be tracked or stolen.

Face it. If there is hardware which is capable of tracking your location. A virus can very easily access that information. Regardless if you are 'prompted' or not.

What is it that we always say DRM is absurd because it'll just be cracked! Oh but MY data my precious precious data. That's uncrackable and wrong to take.

im.thatoneguy

So remember kids, thing twice before you buy your next W7 laptop next month.

lmjabreu

It certainly would be much easier to scam someone that isn't very computer savvy, if you can tell them you know their address or current location.

mdoublej

@oranges:
Seriously. They just cant resist. I like the last paragraph thrown in for good measure. I'm surprised it wasn't followed up by:
Proper ejaculation while fondling an iPhone [HOWTO]

Bluesk1d

finally, my adultfriendfinder adds can show me hot girls in my exact location.. that's cool

LeanderJobnick