Nivio has started beta tests of a Windows XP hosted desktop service, which it claims can stream a desktop to any compatible browser so you can remotely access Windows apps on Linux, a Mac, or even a handheld device.
The company hopes to follow the access-anywhere success of GoogleMail, Yahoo! and the like - but with access to real desktop software as well as email. It points out that a hosted desktop also lets you run the latest Windows apps even if your own system is not capable or compatible.
The Nivio service is hosted on replicated highly-available servers in data centres in Switzerland and New Delhi - Nivio is a subsidiary of a Swiss company, SMX iNet Global Services, and is the brainchild of SMX founder and former Imperial College London student Sachin Duggal. The company says that all user data is stored under Swiss data protection laws.
It lets you set up a new Windows desktop or replicate your existing one to Nivio and access it there afterwards, and can even print to your local printer. Nivio says it will run over as little as 128kbit/s, but warns that GPRS and 3G connections can be problematic because of their relatively high latency.
View: The Reg
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