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CLOUD
COMPUTING
WHAT: Cloud
computing is not computing in clouds!
Cloud Computing is a concept, more than a new web product.
However it is a concept that has definitely arrived.
What cloud computing involves is users storing their information
on the web (in the cloud as it were), instead to their local
computer.
Such information includes data and applications, along with
their preferences (or settings).
WHY: Cloud
Computing allows users to have access to their information from
various points.
Whether it is from their home computer, then work computer or a
friends computer. This may be achieved without having to
carry on computer/laptop around with all the time.
The cloud can also be accessed via smartphones and other
portable devices that can connect to the internet.
HOW: There are
many service providers available, however users need to be careful
who they select.
The most important items to consider are privacy, and
reliability.
Make sure you select a provider who will treat your data
confidentially and uses data encryption.
Also users need to select a company that they believe will be
around for a long time, else risk losing their information.
HISTORY: Storing
information of the internet is not necessarily new, however the
manner with which it encompasses cloud computing is different.
Cloud computing is generally more orientated towards mobility
(i.e:: allowing access to people on the go from different
points).
It is also growing in popularity over recent years.
FUTURE: The future
of cloud computing as a new web product largely undetermined at
this stage.
There are those how say it has a future as people like to be
more mobile and access their information from wherever they
are.
Then there are those who believe privacy is too big an issues
and don't necessarily trust the providers.
Cloud computing is probably not yet at a stage where it can
replace all your local computers function, but this would depend on
the individuals needs.
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iPAD
WHAT: The Apple iPad is a 'tablet' style computer, or
TabletPC. This means it is like a screen about the size of a
laptop screen, without a separate keyboard.
The main user interface is via this touch
screen.
As a type of new web product, one of the abilities of the
iPad is to access the web via wireless.
WHY:
We believe that the main benefit of a
tablet computer such as the iPad is portability.
The iPad allows users to access the internet on the go, while
roaming.
Much like a smartphone in this respect, but with a much larger
screen.
The iPad also has other major functions but we are looking at it
from the perspective of a web product.
HISTORY: There
have been other attempts to produce a tablet style computer, and
there have been eBook readers that look largely like a tablet
computer.
The iPad is being produced by Apple who are renowned for the
largely successful iPod, Macintosh computers and more recently the
iPhone.
FUTURE: Given that portability seems to
becoming more of a requirement for modern users, we believe the
iPad has a place in the future.
The initial iPad model starts at a relatively low price of
$US499.
Apple expects to release more products in this range later in
2010.
Given that the iPad is more than just a wireless web platform,
we believe that the many functions make the iPad quite
attractive.
However one of the drawbacks of the current model is that it can
only run one application at a time. Some however may not see
this as a problem and we expect the iPad to have a reasonably high
take-up.
Later models will also feature 3G capabilities.
We look forward to future announcements by Apple on the iPad
product.
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