Take on Internet Applications

GigaOM has an interesting post today on Big Internet is Web 2.0’s OS — so Who Owns the Apps? written by Alistair Croll. I have known GigaOM for some very insightful pieces of information but this post is really on top. Alistair writes about how opening up their platforms helps large web services like eBay, Google and Amazon turn into operating systems, servicing niche areas of online business.

Big Internet companies are making themselves the OS of the web 2.0 world. In addition to the fundamentals — operating a web application, storing data, handling logins — each company has a core expertise. In Google’s case, it’s page ranking and relevance; Facebook maps social relationships; Salesforce knows about customer relationships; and eBay has an auction and reputation engine.

Applications created on top of powerful existing platforms get the inherent ability to be relevant and effective, yet light weight. An application built on top of the eBay platform leverages from its reputation and auction engine while delivering functionality that eBay itself may not want to currently get into. Opening up their platform has brought Facebook where it currently is.

Creating an environment for application creation is beneficial for the web service crown jewels of today and they will only hurt themselves by creating roadblocks in the way of application development. Hopefully the Facebooks of today realize the goldmine of collective intelligence they are sitting on and try to tap into it by removing some of the hurdles. Creating conditions for development of applications serving the long tail is going to be the way of the future as per the current internet trends.

Save Three Minutes and Lots of Power - Splashtop

With Splashtop you can access the internet without having to boot your PC. All you need to do is hit the power button and, before the OS loads, use Splashtop to access your email, YouTube videos, Maps, Skype and other services.

What you save isn't just the 3 minutes on booting time. With a service that lets you power-on and off with ease, you don't need to keep your computer running 24X7 at all. Imagine the number of free TV hours that could generate!

Currently Splashtop is available only on the Asus P5E3 Deluxe/WiFi AP Motherboards, but the service may be integrated with other motherboards as Splashtop is in talks with companies that make hardware.

Here are a few things the Splashtop team had to say about their product - It is fast

With Splashtop your computer is ready to use seconds after you turn it on. Instead of waiting for a full boot, you have Web access in mere seconds. Chat, surf, play a game - all one click away.

Splashtop is Secure

Splashtop is a secure Web-surfing environment. You can surf the Web while staying immune to many of the attacks that plague Windows.

It is Eco-Friendly

Splashtop boots so quickly there's no reason to leave your PC on all the time. Now you can use your time more effectively, and consume much less energy.

With most people buying computers today just to connect to the internet, is it possible that Splashcast (and the included browser) one day make it possible for people to stop using Windows? I may have let my imagination run wild but with the $10 million funding received, this could be exactly what the Splashtop people have in mind!

Other blogs that mentioned Splashtop -

DeviceVM's SplashTop: more info about the five second Linux system at Engadget

Splashtop Funded And Launched: Surf The Web Before Booting Up Your PC at Mashable

Asustek P5E3 Motherboard Features Embedded "Splashtop" Linux Variant at Gizmodo