With Google's Thursday update of the desktop edition of its Google Maps service and the inclusion of a new 'My Location' icon, the coordinates of the users' location will be pinpointed on the map, when the service is accessed via a computer.

Google's update has a lot to do with reference to 'supported browsers'. It is the W3C Geolocation API standard that Maps makes use of, thereby enabling any website to access a user's current location. Any browser that supports the new Geolocation API feature - that was lately brought to an Internet Explorer toolbar - can directly integrate it; bringing the advantage to browsers like Google Chrome 2.0+, Mozilla FireFox 3.5+ or any browser equipped with Google Gears.

There may be some variation in the accuracy of a user's exact location because, sans any cell towers to triangulate, the Geolocation API uses mapped WiFi access points and the computer's IP address.

Elaborating on the updated Maps service, software engineer Steve Block and product manager Noam Ben Haim said: "When you visit Google Maps with a supported Web browser, you'll see a new My Location button in the top left corner of the map. Simply click the button to center the map to your approximate location. If your location can be determined accurately enough, it's shown with a blue circle, just like on Google Maps for Mobile."