The company OnLive has revealed a new iPad app that allows iPad owners to stream a full Windows 7 PC straight onto their tablet. Using similar technology that allowed them to make the iPad gaming app that allowed gamers to play full AAA console games on their iPads, Onlive has now given tablet owners access to a full PC.
From OnLive’s press release:
Based upon OnLive’s instant-action cloud gaming technology, OnLive Desktop delivers a seamless Windows desktop experience, with instant-response multi-touch gestures, together with a full on-screen Windows keyboard and handwriting recognition, enabling complete and convenient viewing and editing of even the most complex documents. Rich media, such as video, animation, slide transitions and even PC games, never before practical via remote desktop delivery, run fluidly and dynamically with instant-action interactivity. OnLive Desktop makes remote feel local.
We don’t know yet whether or not full PC games will actually be playable via this app, but given how impressed our own Evan Narcisse was with the functionality and potential for the iPad console app, we’ve learned not to jump to conclusions about the functionality and usefulness of OnLive’s products.
The free app will offer 2GB of cloud storage and “as-available access” to a cloud-based Windows 7 desktop. The desktop comes pre-loaded with Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint, and “several utilities and touch games.” An “OnLive Desktop Pro” is coming soon, with 50 GB of cloud storage, full-featured browsing, additional apps, and “priority access and other OnLive-unique features.” The Pro package will cost $US9.99 a month.
It’s unclear how this will be markedly different from simply using Google Docs on your iPad for free, but as I said, I’ve learned not to jump to conclusions about OnLive’s products. It will at least be cool to give the free version a try, though this business about “as-available access” and “priority-access” makes me a little hesitant about the usefulness of the free version.
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