Windows 8 will be intelligent enough to detect the presence of users according to details from the recently leaked Build 7850.
“Detect Human Presence” is one of the features which the operating system will sport, revealed in a screenshot courtesy of Windows8Italia.
There’s no telling what exactly this implies, but “Detect Human Presence” is listed in line with additional features such as the accelerometer, ambient light, detect your current location, orient your display automatically, proximity, etc.
One interesting mention reveals that “Sensors can detect information about your computer’s location, surroundings, and more.”
To me it sounds like Microsoft has been cooking a new application programming interface (API) for the next major iteration of Windows.
The new API, in concert with specific sensors would allow Windows 8 to be user-aware, while also being able to digest information such as geographical location, time of day, etc.
While it’s clear that the accelerometer can be put to very good use on next generation form factors such as slates /Tablet PCs, it’s a bit harder to guess what scenarios would involve a feature like “Detect Human Presence.”
