The iCloud Desktop OS Beta Version Released
Posted by: admin on Jun 29, 2009
This April, Xcerion, a Swedish software startup, has released a beta version of the iCloud, a free online OS that contains the features of operating systems such as file management, use of applications, and multi-taking through simultaneous running applications. It’s like your regular desktop, only you just access it online. Currently, the only version released is the free version, with the Premium and CaféSpace (paid versions) to be released later on. The iCloud can currently be downloaded and used on Internet Explorer, but Firefox users would have to wait for the Firefox version is still in the alpha stage and is currently working out the bugs.
All about the iCloud
Similar to web applications from Google and Yahoo!, iCloud offers several applications and file-sharing capabilities. The difference is that the iCloud is made to look and feel like a Vista or Mac OS desktop, featuring smooth graphics and icons similarly found in a desktop interface. There are several applications included in the iCloud, such as an instant messenger, a media player, a web browser, and a word processing application, just to name a few. There is also an integrated development environment for software developers planning to create applications for the iCloud. You can also easily manage, share, and collaborate on files through the file-sharing feature of iCloud. The storage space isn’t that much, with only 3 GB of storage for free accounts. But still, that is reasonable considering you can access several of your files with different formats online. As Xcerion states, it does seem like you have your own computer in cyberspace which you can easily access anytime and from anywhere there’s an internet connection.
How Xcerion hopes to make money from the iCloud
Should all things proceed smoothly, Xcerion plans to monetize on the project through commissions on the sales of web applications on iCloud, similar to the business model of App Store. It’s either that, or through the free use of applications through advertisement support. iCloud is designed to be a platform where web developers can provide new services and applications for iCloud users for a price.
As the first version of iCloud has been plagued by performance issues, iCloud developers hope that the beta version would take care all of that. And to get helpful user feedback, there is an iCloud feedback feature in the iCloud Desktop. The iCloud desktop does look promising with its features and services. It just needs to be seen how well the public will receive the concept of an online operating system.
All about the iCloud
Similar to web applications from Google and Yahoo!, iCloud offers several applications and file-sharing capabilities. The difference is that the iCloud is made to look and feel like a Vista or Mac OS desktop, featuring smooth graphics and icons similarly found in a desktop interface. There are several applications included in the iCloud, such as an instant messenger, a media player, a web browser, and a word processing application, just to name a few. There is also an integrated development environment for software developers planning to create applications for the iCloud. You can also easily manage, share, and collaborate on files through the file-sharing feature of iCloud. The storage space isn’t that much, with only 3 GB of storage for free accounts. But still, that is reasonable considering you can access several of your files with different formats online. As Xcerion states, it does seem like you have your own computer in cyberspace which you can easily access anytime and from anywhere there’s an internet connection.
How Xcerion hopes to make money from the iCloud
Should all things proceed smoothly, Xcerion plans to monetize on the project through commissions on the sales of web applications on iCloud, similar to the business model of App Store. It’s either that, or through the free use of applications through advertisement support. iCloud is designed to be a platform where web developers can provide new services and applications for iCloud users for a price.
As the first version of iCloud has been plagued by performance issues, iCloud developers hope that the beta version would take care all of that. And to get helpful user feedback, there is an iCloud feedback feature in the iCloud Desktop. The iCloud desktop does look promising with its features and services. It just needs to be seen how well the public will receive the concept of an online operating system.
