Cloud computing allows people to connect to their important information anywhere and at any time. This capability is influencing our future technology. We no longer need to carry around portable mass storage devices or expensive, high capacity flash drives. The “office” is becoming any place where one can connect to the Internet. Technology is moving in a direction that relies on cloud computing to deliver its promises.
Being Mobile
According to a blog by Nielsen, smartphone usage continues to grow by double-digits in the U.S.. Smartphones are the choice of a mobile generation. People carry their smartphones as their primary tool for connecting with other people. The need for a small, light-weight device means using the cloud to maintain information- leaving room on the phone for more features.
Smartphones are beginning to move functionality into the cloud. Instagram was a heavily RAM-based app that has now moved to depend on the cloud. The demand for applications on the smartphone have resulted in that technology being stretched in terms of processing power and storage.
According to Qualcomm, smartphone use of the cloud will increase in the next year to where 9 out of 10 mobile users will rely on the cloud. The smartphone technology is being used for more things in the average person’s life, such as controlling house functions and as a remote control for other devices. Qualcomm believe that smartphones will become a more popular cloud-connected device than PCs.
Tablets on the Rise
Tablet computing is moving through the market quickly. The demand for Apple and Amazon devices continues to increase. Some of the reasons people purchase tablets are size, speed and functionality, three traits that are harder to manage in one device. The British company Datawind has released a new low-end tablet called the Aakash. This is an Android-based tablet under $50 that relies on applications in the cloud to offload processing from the device. This step towards a cloud-based tablet brings technology to many who could not afford a $300+ device.
Laptop Use Still Strong
Laptop technology is also making the cloud a key component. Google has been working with Samsung to produce the Samsung Chromebook, a lightweight laptop that runs Google’s Chrome operating system. When you turn this laptop on, it syncs up your data with all of your devices connected to Google Drive and automatically retrieves any OS updates. The user has access to all of the cloud-based Google web apps such as docs, calendar and gmail.
New Technology Must Meet Old Requirements and Expectations
As the technology advances and places more demand on the cloud, issues such as security and integrity will be addressed by cloud suppliers. With less control being in the company environment, businesses will require the cloud to be as safe as the in-house systems. While technology evolves, the cloud will evolve to be able to support its new requirements, representing the typical leap-frog cycle of hardware-software-network advancements.
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