This morning, still wired from our exciting week, I was checking Google Alerts on Splashtop. There were a lot of links to blog posts where authors tried to position Splashtop in different ways. There were even more comments where readers speculated how Splashtop could become an OS. After all, Splashtop is based, in part, on Linux and there are lots of programs that run in the Linux environment. Naturally, readers have been requesting programs like OpenOffice, Thunderbird, Evolution, and Pidgin.
On the other side of the coin, a lot of folks have been asking us about our web browser, which is an optimized version of Firefox for our platform. Which plugins will you support? Is this going to become a WebOS? One posting asked if you can open documents in Google Docs and chat in Meebo why would you need any other platform-based apps? All of these are great questions.
OEMs and Manufacturers have specific requirements for us depending on the implementation. In the case of our first release with Asus, it was a web browser and Skype. In future implementations it might be media playback or diagnostic tools. We definitely see ourselves as an instant-on environment and not a traditional OS. Supporting a world of applications like Linux, Windows or OSX takes years of development.
We think the real opportunity is to get people where they want to go quickly and efficiently. On or Off, with nothing in between. We’d like to allow customers to add applications to the system and plugins to their web browser. But, we don’t see ourselves becoming a traditional OS competitor. Splashtop is a great companion to a traditional OS. Need to grab a quick map? Splashtop. Want to show your buddy a funny movie on YouTube? Splashtop. Have to edit a photo with some crazy liquid effect in Photoshop? Traditional OS.
For Splashtop to succeed, we have to be nimble and work with a variety of companies. As a small startup, we need to be able to partner with those who work on and support traditional Operating Systems. The same is true for our desire to collaborate with independent developers who can add significant value to Splashtop. We are quite simply focused on bringing value to consumers.
Well, my dog, Ernie (pictured below) is whining to go for a quick goodnight walk. Have a great Sunday wherever you are.
October 14th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
I mentioned in an earlier comment this week, that Splashtop would make a PERFECT platform for a vast number of computer users. With apps like picnik.com, zoho.com, of course google apps and a multitude of others, there is no need for the complexity of an OS. Splashtop could become the success story of the decade by introducing affordable, Splashtop only machines for the masses!
October 14th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Rick - Splashtop machines would be awesome. Which online file storage system do you use? Thanks for posting!
October 15th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
For instant on, surf the net quickly, the individuals network setup needs to be saved off. Do you have the ability to save individual configuration setups?
One benefit I see is no malware installing itself on your machine unless you do save off cookies and stuff from session to session. Is every new session a clean start or do you save off history, cookies, etc. from the previous time? Thank-you.
October 15th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
I am absolutely stunned with the robust Zoho.com online office. Their word processor is great, the spreadsheet is more than ample, and their database is the best I’ve ever used. I do use gmail and google docs a little too, but Zoho has my attention right now, and I sure hope that someone takes this Splashtop tool and turns it into an appliance…I wish I had the knowledge and capitol to make it happen!
October 27th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
I agree with your take that splashtop should be a companion and not a full os. There are many great scenarios where this will be a killer app for you. This would be perfect for HTPC scenarios where consumers are not used to waiting a long time for an appliance to boot up. Thin clients are another space where you will do well. Rescue environment, NAS appliance. Hopefully the manufacturers you work with are open to letting enthusiasts reconfigure their splashtop to whatever use they might need
November 2nd, 2007 at 6:12 am
Hey, guys, where are source codes for that Splashtop? No doubt that it uses GNU/GPL licenced software …
May 19th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
The Fastest OS - Splashtop…
We are all hate about restarting computer. Because sometime it took long boot up time if it was installed with softwares.
Do you still remember in Pentium I processors time, some Pentium 75Mhz CPU took minutes to boot up just a Windows 95 machine! Huh…