Storage in the Cloud
One major change that has been around for years in one form or another is off-site storage. Initially this practice started as a common aspect of local networks. Network administrators would setup shared files or proprietary applications took advantage of storage on servers. Now, almost all modern applications take advantage of some sort of online storage.
The Google family of apps, for example, is able to host a tremendous amount of personal data that would once be held locally. Gmail is able to offer over 10 GB of personal space. Their upcoming Google Drive, which is a replacement for Google Docs, will provide an additional 5 GB of free storage and the option to purchase additional storage. This space will be used to store files from any home or mobile device, share the files with other users and facilitate collaborative editing of the files. This new application will also include the current suite of Google Docs applications, allowing editing through any browser.
Cloud Processing
Far more exciting than storage in the cloud is new developments in cloud computing. Hardware companies are working to offer the same experience one would find on a high-end gaming computer on far less expensive mobile devices.
Onlive, an online gaming company, made one of the first steps in this direction by creating a large gaming community where users can play a wide range of popular games with only an internet connection, basic device and monthly subscription. While reviews have been mixed since their launch, this technology is definitely a shadow of the future.
Computer hardware company NVIDIA is taking a more practical step with their Virtual Desktop Infrastructure solutions. These GPU devices allow high-quality multimedia processing to be performed on the cloud in a seamless manner. Their new devices allow many applications to transition to servers, improving performance in many instances, lowering end-user costs and providing better consolidation of services for companies like Los Angeles It Consulting firms.
As these technologies continue to improve and users adapt to the new way of computing, these services will continue to improve in overall capabilities and decrease in cost. This is a win-win for companies offering services and their clients and customers. For anyone in the computing industry, the future is bright, because the future is in the cloud.