OnLive Cloud Desktop: news and impressions of the Windows thin client – The Verge

OnLive Desktop now based on Windows Server 2008, company silent about alleged licensing conflict

2012-04-09T19:26:58-04:00

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For a while there, we were worried that OnLive's streaming Windows 7 cloud desktop service might have legal trouble due to a Microsoft complaint, but it seems that OnLive isn't using Windows 7 any more. As you can see in the image above, it's now Windows Server 2008. Before you worry that the service will be diminished in any way, you should probably know that both operating systems are functionally pretty much the same, and other than a much-improved touchscreen keyboard, it's actually rather difficult to tell them apart, anyway. In fact, the only really interesting part of the change is the hope that OnLive found a way around Microsoft's l …

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Is OnLive Desktop running Windows illegally?

2012-03-08T14:26:02-05:00

Windows running on iPad with OnLive

OnLive Desktop is an impressive exercise in the potential of cloud services - a Windows 7 client with Microsoft Office that streams to your iPad or Android device. We fell in love at first virtualization, and it's received mainstream attention (and praise) from the likes of The New York Times' David Pogue, who specifically and repeatedly called it "Windows on the iPad." But, critically, does the service fall in line with Windows' licensing terms and conditions? Microsoft seems to think not.

In a post today, Corporate VP of Licensing Joe Matz outlined what the company's terms allow for in Windows virtualization. More to the point, he very ex …

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OnLive Desktop comes to Android tablets

2012-03-01T16:01:06-05:00

via olwriter.files.wordpress.com

OnLive's Desktop service is available for Android tablets, allowing owners to access a copy of Windows 7 with a variety of apps including Microsoft Office running in the cloud. We first got a taste of OnLive Desktop back in January for the iPad, with it even making an appearance in The Vergecast at CES, and found it slick and responsive. OnLive's CEO Steve Perlman describes Android as "a great platform for OnLive Desktop," specifically calling out the availability of LTE and support for USB keyboards and mice as major benefits.

The basic OnLive Desktop service is free, which gives you access to your own thin client, 2GB of storage, and acce …

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OnLive Desktop Plus has the fastest (virtual) web browser you’ve ever used, for $5 a month

2012-02-22T19:33:46-05:00

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It's been over two years since OnLive CEO Steve Perlman showed off a cloud-accelerated web browser on stage, demonstrating how an iPad could load a full website in the blink of an eye… by actually loading it in OnLive's server room miles away. Today, the company's finally making that same ability available to users for $5 a month, and it's pretty amazing.

Remember how OnLive's free Cloud Desktop service let you use a virtual copy of Windows 7 on your iPad? Well, it didn't have a web browser, but if you pay $5 a month for the just-announced Cloud Desktop Plus tier, OnLive throws in a copy of Internet Explorer 9 with all the trimmings as well …

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OnLive Cloud Desktop app now available for download on the iTunes App Store

2012-01-12T22:32:59-05:00

Gallery Photo: OnLive Cloud Desktop hands-on pictures

OnLive's Windows 7 thin client for iPad is now available from the iTunes App Store. It's a 4.8MB free download, and you'll need an OnLive account to start toying around with the likes of Microsoft Office on the cloud service. Late last night, OnLive told us the app release would be delayed until Friday in order to deploy more servers to meet the expected demand, but it's out, it's working (at least for one of our non-press accounts) and you can find a link to the app at our source link. Read all about the free trial (and upcoming subscription Cloud Desktop services) right here, and see what all the excitement is about in our video demo below …

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OnLive Cloud Desktop hands-on: Windows 7 streaming to an iPad (video)

2012-01-10T11:58:01-05:00

Gallery Photo: OnLive Cloud Desktop hands-on pictures

Yesterday, we told you how OnLive is breaking away from its gaming roots to deliver a Windows 7 thin client from the cloud. Today, we've got video of Windows 7 on an iPad, streaming a desktop complete with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and mulititouch apps, far smoother than your average remote desktop solution. See it action below, and / or try it for yourself free on iPad when the app launches this Thursday!

Update: OnLive says the app is actually coming Friday, due to an additional deployment of servers to handle the estimated load.

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OnLive expands beyond games with Windows thin client: free 2GB trial starting on iPad this week

2012-01-09T12:34:12-05:00

Gallery Photo: OnLive Cloud Desktop hands-on pictures

The very first time we spoke to OnLive CEO Steve Perlman, we asked him: why video games? He told us that virtual worlds were the ultimate test of a cloud streaming service. If OnLive could deliver playable games across a home internet connection despite latency limitations, it could stream just about anything. Just over a year ago, he showed off that "anything" on the D8 stage, streaming Windows 7 to an iPad and manipulating PC apps from the touchscreen.

Starting this Thursday, you can get a taste of the same. OnLive is launching a virtual desktop service in the cloud this week, to compete with the likes of Citrix, VMWare and Wyse, but unli …

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