Arriving fashionably late on the cloud computing scene, Apple’s new MobileMe service appears to be the answer to integrated and unified information across a user’s Apple platforms. Rather than storing data individually on several platforms, it is kept on a single server or ‘cloud’ where it will keep all interconnected devices up to date with the user’s information. Also, similar to Microsoft’s Live Mesh which I have covered in some detail, MobileMe features an online desktop where the storage and sharing of files is possible and accessible by all deviced connected to the service.
Also similar to Live Mesh, MobileMe incorporates desktop Macs, MacBooks and iPhones together which is an ever increasing trend in web 2.0 technologies in today’s world. Web services aren’t designed for traditional desktop computers, but are intended to be accessed anywhere on people’s mobile devices. The term ‘MobileMe’ only strengthens the idea that the frequency of changing data to make it relevant is primarily designed for mobile computing.
Anyway, the main feature as far as MobileMe is concerned is the Push service which I have already touched upon, a service which keeps constantly changing data relevant on all connected mobile devices up to date. This primarily includes emails, contacts and calendar events. So id I was to add a new event to my calnedar on my iMac, lo and behold it will also appear on my iPhone. Useful, consistent and certainly a step in the right direction of unified and correct data sharing,but it makes you wonder whyit has taken so long for this idea to come to mainstream fruition?
Games consoles are also becoming interconnected. Look at the Wii-DS, PS3-PSP & XBOX360-PC connectivity. Perhaps it won’t be too longer before they’re all talking to each other. Regardless of the competition however, it’s good to see that Apple have created a simple and usable solution in MobileMe and there’s no doubt the loyal fanbase of Apple users will be hooked right in. But with so far limited options and the high prices that have become customary with Apple products, will it have the pulling power to detract from the mainstream and all-inclusive solution soonto be offered by Microsoft and Live Mesh? Time will tell…
With Microsoft’s ‘next big thing’ Live Mesh now firmly on the horizon, more details are becoming available about the system and how it will surely revolutionize the way information is shared globally. Introducing the idea of a web-desktop where the interconnection of web technologies and desktop operating systems provide a complete service, Live Mesh is surely the future of desktop computing. Here’s a brief overview of the services offered in the Tech Preview which is now online:
Interconnectivity
The online ‘device ring’ area shows all the devices that are connected to the Live Mesh network, giving you the option to add new devices. This could include the desktop in front of you, a laptop on the other side of the world, an iPhone or any connected mobile devices that you may have registered. Adding a device to the Mesh is as simple as clicking an orange button and selecting ‘install’.
The Web Desktop
Interfaced just like the standard PC desktop computer, the online web desktop incorporates all the usable aspects of traditional computing into an online interface. This means it will ooze familiarity to a much wider audience and would probably be much more usable to people who use PCs but aren’t that used to the Internet. On this part of the Mesh you can upload and download files and any changes to these files are then applied across the Mesh network.
Remote Desktop Access
The situation has surely arisen very commonly whereby you need a file from the PC at home when you’re at work or college. The remote desktop access service through Live Mesh allows you to securely access any devices connected to the Mesh meaning you’ll always have a way of using these devices, even if you’re in another country. Current programs that allow you to do this such as Beam2Support will become irrelevant as Live Mesh doesn’t require someone on the other side to connect with you. Similar to WiiConnect24, the service is always connected to the Mesh.
Social Mesh
A news feed section in the Live Mesh interface allows users to share news, view shows and send messages to other members who are in the same group. By sharing folders, any posts that you make can be read by other users which makes the possibility of using the Mesh as a collaboration tool a more realistic prospect.
These are just some of the main aspects of Live Mesh that have been revealed so far. However, with the tech demo now available and new things being reported about the service each day, there’s sure to be much more on the horizon.
