If you’re still downloading applications and running them on your own computer, you’re doing it wrong. Cloud computing, where you let someone else handle all the heavy lifting, is the future and it’s accessible wherever you’ve got an internet connection and web browser. Click on for our run down of the ultimate cloud computing applications.
Google
Google eats, sleeps and breathes the internet, so it’s no surprise that its cloud computing offerings are top notch – not to mention free. Top of the tree is Gmail, which can rival desktop email applications, but Google hasn’t stopped there – it also offers a full office suite too. What’s more, if you own your own domain name you can have all these services branded with your own web address by simply signing up for Google Apps.
Google Apps
Zoho
If you’re looking for more online apps than Google currently offers, Zoho has an impressive array of programs you can plug into from a web browser. The basics such as word processor and spreadsheet are covered along with more advanced apps such as project management and report creation. There are free versions available for individuals, with paid upgrades on offer for businesses.
Zoho
Huddle
Whether you’re planning a birthday party or to take over the world, you need somewhere to keep track of all the details. Throw all your ideas, discussions and files into a Huddle workspace and you’ll know exactly where you are in the master plan. You can easily share workspaces with other people, assign tasks to keep everyone on the ball and you can even schedule a conference call to ensure everything is going to plan.
Huddle
Nokia Ovi
If you’re more of an all play, less work kind of person, Nokia’s Ovi suite of cloud applications is more about fun than business. Not only can you easily share your photos and videos, but you can keep your calendar and contacts in sync. There’s also a nifty files feature that will let you access document from your home PC while you’re out and about.
Ovi
Dropbox
Dropbox provides an easy way to share files and keep them in sync across multiple PCs. Never again do you have to worry about overfilling someone’s inbox by emailing them too large a file – just put it in a public folder on Dropbox and send them the link. You can access files through a web browser, or download the application for seamless integration with Windows, Mac and Linux.
Dropbox
G.ho.st
It’s all very well running individual apps online, but with G.ho.st you get an entire virtual computer. It may not be quite as advanced as the one sitting on your desktop, but it’s got the basics covered and unlike a physical computer you can access it anywhere – even from your mobile phone.
G.ho.st
(Image by akakumo)
