What’s the future of cloud computing? It depends on whom you ask – namely, Google or Microsoft. A recent article in the NY Times relates the growing “rumble” between the two tech giants over their differing views on the trajectory of computing. While Google’s looking up to the sky, envisioning (and banking on) cloud computing as the future of almost all business and personal computing, Microsoft is much less optimistic about the functionality and appeal of web-based software, their business almost entirely built upon desktop applications.
One bit that jumped out at us was Google’s fearless optimism about the idea of computing almost entirely “in the cloud.” The rise of Google Apps, now used by over 1.6 million users, with 2000 new companies signing up daily, reflects (at the very least) a considerable warming up to the idea. But how much will the cloud cover? According to Google CEO Eric Schmidt, nearly everything:
Mr. Schmidt steps up to a white board. He draws a rectangle and rattles off a list of things that can be done in the Web-based cloud, and he notes that this list is expanding as Internet connection speeds become faster and Internet software improves. In a sliver of the rectangle, about 10 percent, he marks off what can’t be done in the cloud, like high-end graphics processing. So, in Google’s thinking, will 90 percent of computing eventualy reside in the cloud?
“In our view, yes,” Mr. Schmidt says. “It’s a 90-1o thing.” Inside the cloud resides “almost everything you do in a company, almost everything a knowledge worker does.”
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Check out BusinessWeek’s December 24 Cover Story,‘Google’s Next Big Dream’.
December 20th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
I don’t think there’s really any other option then “cloud computing”. Although that term is quite ambiguous (is it; CPU computation like Folding@Home, data like Flickr or Google Docs, or a full “OS” experience like eyeos, or just our online presence like Facebook/OpenSocial).
Most people talk of it in a specific context but I believe it really must embody all those (and probably more).
The need for a more seamless existence between all these facets of our computing experience seems more compelling then continuing the trend of “locked in a device” isolationism.
“Software above the level of a single Device” or simply a “seemless” continuation of purpose across multiple interfaces (or a seemingly single interface across multiple applications) either catchphrase embodies the desire.
Without the clouds, it’ll be s dismal shadow cast.
December 20th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Christine
The most eye opening thing about that article was the different ways that the two companies work. MS takes forever to wade through their layered structure (I know, I’ve worked on their account at several agencies… It’s a fucking nightmare.) Google does stuff in weeks if not days. That’s why, one day, Google will own the universe. No shit.
Cheers/George
December 21st, 2007 at 5:06 pm