I have talked a lot in recent posts about the online applications space or the virtual office to give it another name. This is an area where there is a current explosion in new applications and an associated explosion in startup companies trying to become the next big thing, or a least become significant enough to be bought out by the big boys like Google, Adobe or Microsoft.

Good benefits

The concept is potentially great for a consumer, as online applications reduce the need for installing and maintaining applications on their own computer, often meaning and low or mid range computer is easily sufficient. The applications will always be the latest version, removing the need to buy or install upgrades, and often they are available for free, saving money as well.

Off line for financial data?

One thing that I don’t see many people doing though, considering the nature of the data, is to use online financial applications. They do exist, but most people will be too worried about putting there financial data out there in the cloud. So here we probably would need to look at buying an application like Quicken or Microsoft Money (2005 version only). Either of these products provide more than enough features to keep your personal finances in order. But there is a problem. These applications are no longer supported in the UK, although the older versions will work at least for now. My advice would be to go for an application created by a UK company which you know will work with UK banks and be supported in the future. Personal Accountz has had good reviews and fits this profile well!

I think you may have guessed by now that I am a big fan of online applications. I believe that in the near future a lot of us will use these applications, and that they will be the basis for a lot of new internet companies. The startup of internet companies around online applications is set to become potentially much easier. The latest news in the online application space is the announcement of Google’s new App Engine which is designed to let the designers of software as a service applications to outsource hosting and data storage for their applications by using key elements of Google’s infrastructure.

Google App Engine

Essentially the Google App engine is very similar in concept to the popular services that Amazon has made available and are presently used by many internet startups. There is one major difference and that is that the Google approach is a complete bundled service. This in theory will make it much easier for the developers and entrepreneurs, but I am sure the news will start a lot of discussions around the world about the advisability of putting all your startup’s eggs in Google’s one basket. I can see good arguments for and against. What about you?

Stylish Desktop

Of course if you have a great idea that is just busting to turned into an online application, you will need a computer that defines you as the entrepreneur that you are! How about this Sony Vaio all in one desktop which is both functional and stylish?

I have been on a visit to the UK from Dubai for the past week. One thing that I have done while in the UK is to get back into the swing of using Skype again. Skype is officially not available in the U.A.E although it will work occasionally it is not reliable and as such I avoid using it. So being back in the UK and with access to decent broadband I was once again amazed by both the quality of the sound and the game changing usefulness of the Voice over IP (VOIP) technology.

For a lot of people I know, Skype or similar VOIP technologies have become the way they communicate and do business. The way that most people actually do this is by using their computer and a good set of headphones combined with a microphone. But sometimes when sitting at home, the office or the local cafe, it would nice to be able to use Skype on a standard handset, rather than having to wip out the laptop.

So I have had a quick look at WiFi phones and was quite interested by the Belkin Wi-Fi Phone for Skype which does not need a PC and can log on to any WiFi signal that doesn’t require a web based logon. The phone includes the Skype software allowing you to just call up anyone on your contact list.

Do you use Skype? How do you access the service?

I have recently just spent a weekend at my parents house where I was engaged as an IT consultant as I usually am when visiting friends and family. So I was presently surprised to find that they had recently invested in a nice new wireless mouse. It so happens that as part of my project to reduce the number of wires hanging around my desktop I am in the market for a wireless mouse, and I was able to get a good test drive of the Logitech MX revolution.

Easy to drive

First of all I was impressed by how nicely it fits into the hand and how easy it was to use. There is the now standard thumb wheel and just above that that are very handy forward and back buttons for browsing. Other buttons included an interesting search button which enables you to select a word or text and press the button to instantly search the Internet using Yahoo or Google.

No Batteries

One of the best things about this mouse is that it comes with a charging stand so no more running out of batteries just when you need it most, one of the things that normally really bugs me about wireless mice. The only problem with this of course is that this adds a new wire, but I think the value of the charger makes it worth it.

So if you are in the market for new wireless mouse then you could do worse than take the Logitech MX revolution for a spin!

I have talked about virtual or online office capability before and there is an ever increasing number of companies with online applications that are providing productivity application functionality. Increasingly these applications are taking advantage of Adobe’s flash technology.

Adobe themselves are fast becoming somewhat of a major player in the online productivity applications space. They have recently bought an online flash based word processor, and have a stake in an online calendar and notebook application. It will not be long before they will end up with a complete online office based on their technology, one that has the potential to become a significant competitor to Microsoft’s and Google’s online suites.

Adobe has recently taken this plan for world domination one step forward by starting to build online versions of their own applications. Adobe last week announced the availability of Adobe Photoshop Express. This is an online image storage and editing application which will allow you to do some basic manipulation of images, and comes with about 2GB of storage. For most people though this is not yet going to provide a serious alternative to Photoshop CS3 or Photoshop elements on the desktop. However it does show Adobe’s believe in the online platform and for many people may well be a useful extension of the capabilities provided by Photoshop.

What do you think? Are you a believer in online applications? Have you tried Photoshop Express?