ON TRUER COMPUTERS ON A STICK

THE WORLD IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND

My last post on "Computers on a stick" a few weeks ago, described a new product that is essentially a bootable USB drive with a few critical applications like Open Office and a Firefox browser, that provides quick computing on the run on any computer with a fast USB 2.0 port.

There were two new stories yesterday that provide a glimpse on how much more robust a mobile computing environment is possible just around the corner.

First, this article in New Scientist (via JKontherun), describes a new, virtual computer architecture from IBM research Labs, called the SoulPad that can store a complete, self-contained user computing environment including operating system, favorite applications and user data, on any type of portable storage device ranging from USB sticks to devices with hard drives like MP3 players and cellphones.  As the article puts it:

The virtual computer’s "soul" - as the researchers dub it - can then be uploaded to a new PC simply by plugging the portable device in. This host machine needs no special software or even a network connection to take on an entirely new personality.

What's really cool is to see it in action.  IBM Research has provided a demonstration video, that takes about five minutes and really illustrates how cool this concept can be...in the demo, they use an ordinary Apple iPod, a Thinkpad laptop, and a USB key for user authentication.  Click here if you just want to see the pictures of the setup.

Key here are the

"... three separate layers of software - a base operating system that automatically configures the host computer's various components, a layer of encryption to keep sensitive data secure, and a "virtual machine" containing the user's portable computing environment, for example, their web browsers, word processing or music software."

No word on how close we are to a commercial product, especially since the recent sale of IBM's PC operations to Lenovo.

On the other side of the spectrum, is this news of a small startup in Utah (via Slashdot) providing an entire server on a USB stick that IS available as a commercial product:

"Unveiled at the LinuxWorld Conference & Expo here this week, Realm Systems Inc.'s BlackDog server may appear at first glance to be a geek fetish item, but the Sandy, Utah, company says it will ultimately have serious corporate uses."

The articles continues,

"The 1.6 ounce server is powered by the USB connection and does not require any special software to work on the PC. BlackDog is treated as a CD-ROM by the host PC and is booted automatically when plugged in. Once booted it can access any of its host's peripherals or network resources. The product works with PCs that are running Linux, Windows 2000 or Windows XP, Realm said."                              

A critical distinction between this device and the Soulpad and other USB Flash memory devices is that the BlackDog USB server has a processor on board (400 MHz PowerPC processor), in addition to flash memory (256MB or 512MB are current options).  This mean that the device can act as a miniature computer by itself vs. the Soupad and other devices using the processor of the host PC to create the "virtual computing" environment.

This "micro-computer on a stick" architecture is important because it can open up innumerable new applications both on the enterprise AND the consumer side over time.

I'm already looking forward to the subsequent versions of these products that will likely have high-speed wireless (Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth) capability to connect to the host PC without the need for a physical connection.

In general, although these types of products may cannibalize some sales of software, PCs, laptops, PDAs and servers at the margin, they are more likely to expand the overall market for technology, by extending the applicability of small computing devices in areas and/or global markets not practical or feasible today.

One major negative to all this however is the real security risk that miniaturized storage devices like USB Flash memory sticks, MP3 players and cell phones with hard drives,  represent in a corporate environment already. 

As this article highlights, companies are getting increasingly concerned about, and taking precautions against, ad hoc access to corporate computing resources via USB ports and wireless connections.

As the portable storage based products evolve from just memory to full-fledged computing devices, these policies will likely need to be adjusted (and technologies tweaked), to permit legitimate and potentially very useful and cost-saving applications of the lightest type of computing on the go.

As I've said many times before, "Ain't technology grand"?

Comments

[Scott]

I noticed the recent trend in device computing over the last two weeks and tuned in a bit myself. I love the "computer on a stick" idea and really love the "Soul Pad" idea. I'll have to come clean and admit that I did dismiss the "Black Dog Server" as a geek gadget, but I do see use for the technology abroad... actually for my own personal use even.

I adore the idea of being able to take my required computing information, media, etc. with me to any computer I choose. Who wouldn't want that? Again though, let me complain about the need for web drive space. Why can't I use a flash drive or cell phone/iPod (via SoulPad type technology) to authenticate my identity and work on a remote web storage drive that houses my documents, contacts,and media? With that sort of a model, we could all use flash drive based linux laptops that are highly efficient and more reliable (no moving parts). If my media is instantly accessable online and I have broadband anywhere I want either with Verizon's EV-DO or TMobile at a Starbucks then heck, why not? I see that kind of distributed Personal Computing model in my dreams.

By the way, have you had a chance to play with that computer on a stick yet?

[Michael Parekh]

I did get it and it works pretty well...however, it does take a little extra set up per computer to make it boot up from the drive...then the minor hassle is remembering to reverse that change to for normal boot up. I'm still waiting for one that automates that task...but it is nice to have all your bookmarks stuff in one place for multiple computers. I do agree with you that a web based storage service would enhance it significantly.