Apple To Challenge Google and Microsoft With Cloud OS?

[WarrenSH]

Apple has received a patent that hints to the intent of providing network computers that will boot through a “net-booted environment.”

It may seem that Apple is moving slowly into the cloud computing age and that it has many assets that are simply not leveraged in what could be a massive cloud environment that could cause more than just a headache for Google and Microsoft. However, it appears that Apple has been working for some time on an operating system, conceivably a version of a next-generation Mac OS or iOS, that could boot computers and other devices via an Internet connection.

The strategy is laid out in a patent that was granted to Apple today and describes a way how network computers could boot over an Internet connection, how the process works and how it could be managed. The document is entitled ” Method and apparatus for administering the operating system of a net-booted environment” and is the first sign that Apple is working toward a cloud operating system environment that goes far beyond its own iOS as well as Google’s Chrome OS, which does not boot over the Internet, but simply runs connected apps within a browser window.

In Apple’s words: “A method and apparatus are described for providing a reliable and maintainable operating system in a net-booted environment. According to one embodiment, a network computer (NC) system including an NC server and multiple NC clients is managed by an NC client causing the remainder of the NC clients that are subsequently booted to receive operating system software that is configured differently than that currently in effect by replacing one or more system volumes on the NC server containing the operating system software with one or more different system volumes.“

The patent specifically describes am complete OS management environment that may be used in closed corporate environments that relates to Apple’s strategy to get a stronger presence within corporations, but could also apply to broad consumer environments – conceivably iPads that are booted via a service network to provide Apple more control what is running on computing devices or not. If we consider that Apple is currently constructing a 500,000 sqft data center, Apple could in fact support a cloud operating system that is paid for on a subscription basis.

According to the patent, the OS environment “may be provided as a computer program product which may include a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process according to the present invention. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnet or optical cards, flash memory, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions.”

Apple said that the OS “may also be downloaded as a computer program product, wherein the program may be transferred from a remote computer (e.g., a server) to a requesting computer (e.g., a client) by way of data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium via a communication link (e.g., a modem or network connection).”

Apple applied for the patent in July of 2006, which indicates that the company has been working on a potential cloud OS environment for at least 5 years. If this patent is any indication, then it appears to be clear that Apple intends to differentiate itself from Google and Microsoft with an entirely different OS approach that will extend the walled garden idea and continue to build a bubble around Apple devices and increase the Apple’s control over its users.

http://www.conceivablytech.com/4886/business/apple-to-challenge-google-and-microsoft-with-cloud-os/

[alexfish]

Since it would be obvious that something must initiate the request|!?
then Debian does or did exacly the same as in "Method"

Good Reinvention of the word "METHOD"

Get ready for another round of insults and intended Lawsuits

[Evil-Ernie]

To me it makes logical sense, John McCarthy in the 60's postulated that computing power could be delivered like a utility much like electricity and water. Of course this original idea is from the era of time-sharing computers but for modern devices I think for basic internet access, listening to music or media streaming this could be a new way of doing it.

Id still like a standalone system at home with the flexibility and ability to tinker with it but for a lot of people they simply dont care whats 'under the bonnet' and just want to use their device with ease.

Unfortunately with Apple I can see them wanting it to be all their own way with them dictating what we want rather than what we need also a legal bun-fight between the big corps that will only hamper progress.