Microsoft Plans to Integrate InfoCard Technology into Its Latest Operating Systems
Microsoft intends to incorporate InfoCard technology into both of its latest operating systems, enabling users to manage passwords and personal identity information across multiple websites.
Microsoft President Bill Gates affirmed that InfoCard will function as a digital wallet for online personal information. Utilizing InfoCard aims to eliminate the hassles arising from users having to remember numerous different pieces of information for the websites they register on.
Software companies are striving to address the issues of password management and authenticating user information, as e-commerce websites and online banking platforms are increasingly targeted by exploitation and scams. Microsoft first mentioned InfoCard last year, and they confirmed that the technology is now operational.
Customers will find InfoCard readily accessible in the Control Panel of both Windows Vista and Windows XP, as well as within Internet Explorer 7.
InfoCard will be part of WinFX, the programming model for Windows Vista, allowing developers to leverage the technology for website development. Additionally, Microsoft has released a toolkit named “Federated Identity and Access Resource Kit” for InfoCard, enabling users to experiment with the preview version of Windows Vista.
Samsung has also announced that Windows Vista will significantly boost the NAND flash memory market when it launches later this year. This is attributed to the integrated External Memory Device (EMD) technology within the new generation operating system, allowing USB Flash drives to expand the computer’s memory bank while also supporting Flash cache on hard drives to enhance boot speed.
According to the American research firm iSuppli, Samsung was the largest manufacturer of NAND Flash in 2005, holding a 52.9% market share and generating revenue of $5.74 billion.
