The Holy Grail- “Online OS’”

Everyone has their holy grail in technology. For some it’s the semantic web, for some it’s online services (Jeff Bezos), and for some it’s singularity. If you were to ask me, what is my Holy Grail or something I’d like to see or be a part of, it’s the evolution of the “Online Operating System”. Now, everyone thinks the online operating system is going to replace Windows, OS X,etc. I think that’s nonsense. I think the online operating system is going to be a platform that extends the functionality of desktop software out towards the web. Simply put, the online OS’ will be extensions to desktop OS’. So how do I see the “Online OS” changing computing and the factors involved?

I truly believe operating systems will become increasingly lightweight installs. We’re talking Linux sized and able to fit on a small thumb drive. Why? There’s no need for the bloated code. The basic and needed stuff will be placed on the desktop operating system. The important and variable data will be stored online. Think of it this way, a lightweight version of windows with the browser being the basis for most applications. The specifics to the application to cut down on bandwidth will be stored on the user’s computer, similar to a Firefox plugin.

Believe it or not, some people are still on dialup. I think we’re going to see two really important shifts, that are already there in some areas: Really Fast and Affordable High Speed, along with Wireless internet available everywhere. For this to all work, internet needs to be very fast. We’re talking Fios or Cablevision Enhanced speed. We’re almost there, but it’s going to take some time.

Right now, software is based upon a flat fee. Pay x dollars to get Flash,etc. I think we’ll see two new pricing methods become popular with an online OS: Advertising based and Subscription. This could totally disrupt the software industry. Some software would work different ways. A lot would stay with the flat fee model.

Developers will be able to make the software they need a lot quicker. I believe that an online OS will let anyone build plugins using a popular language like PHP, with MySQL tables available. The basic hosting is now free, there are no infrastructure costs, and its using a popular language. Think about it: any company can hire a team of developers overnight to build any application they need with no barriers to entry.

Software can be updated in a one update to many model. The packaging and processing part is also cut down. Beta testing is also easier to do. Think about how fast consumer app companies update their apps with features. Imagine business and real apps doing that. Wow.

There’s a few different models out there. There’s Apex by Macromedia, EyeOs, YouOS. I think these are the first small small baby steps. Honest truth is, something is going to happen and be done right. It might be done by a big company ala Microsoft. I can see that happening after Vista. The way they deliver OS’ will need to change. A small and young startup might come along as well. History repeats itself folks.

Okay, I believe AppXchange works, where salesforce takes a cut from all apps sold. So we can see sofware companies selling the base “Online OS”, and then taking a small cut from applications developed. Honestly, its orgasmic the amount of Applications that would be made from a development community. The same way anyone can make money online from selling things on eBay, a developer could do with apps. Video game companies, i also believe make money off of each game sold. They build the system/platform and also make money from the games developed.

So, I’m not an expert on the technical things by any means. I dont have all the right answers, maybe even none at all. This is wishful thinking and what “I” think would work. I’d love to hear comments or talk to people who are/ want to build something like this. Software and the Web, is just beginning. Some of the things may be 180 degrees off. If I’m wrong, rip me apart, so I get it right. Yeah, I’m about that thing called l-e-a-r-n-i-n-g Can you say? Hello… New World.

[tags] software, online os, eyeos, youos, publictivity, web 2.0, online operating system, windows, msft, microsoft, apple, aapl [/tags]