14 DAY TRIAL // OnLive is bringing the first “no-compromise Windows desktop” to the iPad by releasing its free OnLive Desktop app this Thursday on the iTunes App Store.
The solution provides instant access to full-featured Windows 7 applications right on your iPad. Examples include Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint software, as well as third party apps, all of which are remotely hosted on powerful PC servers in the cloud.
The software is based on their instant-action cloud gaming technology, which allows it to deliver a seamless desktop experience.
Users get instant-response multi-touch gestures, a full on-screen Windows keyboard, handwriting recognition, and the ability to run all types of rich media fluidly, such as video, animation, slide transitions and even Windows PC games.
As its makers put it, “OnLive Desktop makes remote feel local.”
Commenting on their new release, Steve Perlman, OnLive founder and CEO, said: "OnLive Desktop is the first app to deliver a no-compromise, media-rich Windows desktop experience to iPad, opening up powerful new possibilities for consumers and businesses."
"iPad users will now be able to simply and securely view and edit cloud-hosted documents with full-featured Windows desktop applications like Microsoft Office, just as if they were using a local high-performance PC,” added Perlman. “Multi-touch gestures respond instantly and smoothly, while HD videos, animations and PC video games-never before usable on a remote desktop-play seamlessly."
OnLive Desktop is not yet available to download for your iPad, but it will be come this Thursday, according to the developers. In the meanwhile, interested parties are encouraged to sign up early for their free OnLive account.
The standard plan will offer 2 GB of secure cloud storage and as-available access to a cloud-based Windows 7 desktop pre-populated with Microsoft’s Office suite, plus several utilities and games.
For just $9.99/month, a Desktop Pro version launching later on will offer 50 GB of cloud storage, priority access, full-featured cloud-accelerated browsing, and support for additional Windows apps.