Linspire Chairman Michael Robertson's latest venture, Ajax13, unveils
ajaxWindows, a Web-based middleware platform that stores all desktop
data in a user's Gmail account. The company is Ajax13, the product is
ajaxWindows, and the concept is pretty straightforward: The software
platform is operating system-agnostic and based on the XML User
Interface Language (XUL) to act as a Web-based desktop. Files can be
moved around and opened, and applications launch with a mouse click.
The interface also includes customizable wallpaper, start-up and shut
down sounds, and browser bookmarks. But instead of interacting with
the hardware, the user stores all desktop data, documents, and content,
free of charge into a Gmail account. So far, Robertson has managed
to collect a fair amount of applications including an Instant Messaging
client, a VoIP telephone client based on the Gizmo Project, and even
Robertson own MP3 lockers and AnywhereCD application. The ajaxWindows
software is compatible with Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers.
Using IE requires a small plug-in to work with Microsoft (MSFT)'s
ActiveX features and get the XUL engine up to speed. Who is Roberts
targeting with ajaxWindows? On the consumer side, Google Pack and
Microsoft's Windows Live come to mind. But if companies rally around
ajaxWindows' APIs, the virtual desktop could be used in call centers,
workstations and anywhere other SaaS companies like Salesforce.com
are thriving.
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