Borrowing a page from the book of Apple, Microsoft has yanked a list of user requested features for the next Windows from the Channel 9 web site.

The company provided PC World with a canned statement: "we are not giving official guidance to the public yet about the next version of Windows."

As I can personally testify, the software vendor pulls out this quote from Windows director Kevin Kutz every time a reporter asks about the next Windows version, or even about Windows Vista Service Pack 1. Microsoft PR often can be like a pull string doll: every time you pull the string, the same words will come out.

17 Jul 2007

Microsoft has allegedly hidden Windows development plans behind a veil of secrecy. Perhaps the firm thinks that it can build more excitement about new product if the features stay more of a surprise. Or perhaps the firm is attempting to prevent any more embarrassing headlines when it pulls previously promised features: you can't delay what you haven't announced.

If Apple can turn its development plants into a Fort Knox to prevent information leaks, Microsoft should be able to follow suit. But hard- and software developers rely on this information to build their future product. Apple gets away with its tight-lippedness  because it controls its own hardware. But outside OEMs and peripheral makers are the main source of Microsoft's success.

Besides, the published list merely provided an overview of features that users would like to see. In no way does if reflect the feature that Microsoft is looking to implement.