OnLive: Run Windows 7 On Your iPad

OnLive, the online gaming service, launched the OnLive Desktop app for the iPad this week. I wrote about OnLive’s plans for remote desktop services back in June. What this app will do is allow the iPad to run Windows 7 along with high end applications like animation software. OnLive is able to do this by processing applications in powerful remote data centers, then streaming the desktop back to the iPad. The Windows 7 desktop is fully functional on the iPad using the touch screen controls.

iPad users can download the OnLive app and use the desktop for free. The free service includes 2 gb of cloud storage and access to Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. An upcoming $9.99 per month plan will include 50 gb of storage, cloud accelerated browsing (most likely the 10 gigabit browsing OnLive demonstrated last year), and the ability to add additional software to the desktop. Enterprise and collaboration services are on the way as well. The OnLive Desktop app will soon be available on a wide range of devices ranging from phones to smart TVs.

For more in depth information on OnLive’s remote desktop, check out the piece I wrote for Broadband Reports.

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