Friday, February 12, 2016

How the Cloud is Powering New Innovations

It's official - cloud computing is the future way of life, whether it’s for pleasure or for business. Cloud computing has been in development for some time now, and has more than proved its potential in the tech industry. Soon cloud computing will be a part of every industry and will eventually transform the way we work and live. 

And while cloud computing is currently benefiting businesses the most, it’s only logical that the next step would be to integrate everything else with the cloud. Here’s a list of some of the latest technologies that will rely heavily on cloud, in order to function properly.

Cloud Gaming – Redefining the Way the World Plays

With the advent of cloud gaming, gamers are now playing game rendered on the cloud, instead of the high-end graphics card of PC. This allows gaming headsets to function as nothing more than thin clients, and also helps save a chunk of expenses. This shift of device complexity to centralized data servers will bring down the individual cost of virtual reality headsets, and potentially remove the need for an expensive PC upgrade. Cloud gaming will also have secondary benefits such as enhanced ergonomics and lower resource requirements.

A handful of companies have already explored the concept of cloud gaming. Sony, for example, has developed a cloud gaming service called PlayStation Now, which is said to work in tandem with its PlayStation VR design. But while the first-generation of cloud gaming devices hold lots of promise for future gamers, the introduction of a durable, standalone cloud gaming device will be required to accelerate the adoption of cloud-based gaming.

This will mean that consumers will finally be able to afford to game, without having to invest in a high-end desktop or laptop PC. This would open the doors of virtual gaming for any member of society. No wonders, game fanatics are vocal about their love for the cloud, the platform that’s redefining the face of gaming.

Virtual Reality

Anyone familiar with the concept of cloud with seamless device transition, virtual reality Operating System Embedded (OSE) or cloud-based multi-user interactions will understand the impact the cloud will have on virtual reality. A thorough understanding of cloud gaming will propel virtual reality into the next generation.

It hasn’t been easy; extracting the power of the cloud and making sure that all connected devices are synced to each other. But, the transition is complete and many of us even know about Virtual Reality from things like The Matrix. Companies are already in the development stage for a number of such technologies, and will soon be available as part of the VR operating system environment. And while implementing VR in the real world will take some time, video gamers will already know what to do with it.

As a new generation of gamers emerges, a multi-system virtual reality is not far from entering the mainstream. Cloud-based VR will unleash a level of virtual connectivity that was never previously experienced, all thanks to the cloud.

Li-Fi

People were happy with Dial-up modems, impressed with broadband, and were in awe of Wi-Fi. So, now get ready for the next generation of high-speed connectivity, with Li-Fi. A 5G light connectivity features that flows along the spectrum of visible light, Li-Fi is not just a new level of speed, but the first glimpse into the world of light speed. The concept works on Light-emitting diode or LED bulbs that transfer data when they are turned on or off, at a speed so fast that the human eye can’t even see it.

The equipment required to handle such speeds is already under development, and the means to use it is already available in the form of the cloud. With will make it possible to provide internet connectivity at speeds of up to 100 Gbps, estimated to be over 2000 times faster that modern day broadband. The availability of massive amounts of LEDs will enable Wi-Fi connectivity in areas that were previously prohibited, including airplanes, hospitals and other secure locations.

Another major advantage of this lightning fast connectivity is zero electromagnetic interference (ZEI), a feature that will eliminate the risk of radiation exposure from wireless data transmission. With the help of the cloud, Li-Fi will also offer enhanced data protection, seeing that light cannot pass through walls. This would make it virtually impossible to hack in to a data system from the outside. And as radio and telecommunication frequencies get more congested, the demand for a faster and more efficient media of wireless communication means that Li-Fi has a built a bright future for itself, courtesy the cloud.

Cloud Office Solutions

Things like virtual reality and cloud gaming are what make the cloud fun to use, but the cloud also offers a number of professional benefits that have become the norm for doing business. Cloud office solutions are already in the market, allowing businesses to get an array of office services from a single provider who will install, integrate, manage and secure your business processes.

Cloud computing had proven its value to businesses a long time ago, but cloud office solutions have opened new doors for smaller businesses. Cloud-based office solutions allow SMEs to take advantage of cloud systems, without having to invest in expensive infrastructure, such as e-mail servers, and IT technicians. Even the current cloud office solutions offer on the go access and cost efficiencies over traditional software.

Cloud Analytics Services

Cloud analytics is a business service model that has some components of the data analytics process coming in directly through a private or public cloud. A major advantage of cloud analytics over traditional analytics is that they are available on a subscription model, which means you usually pay for what you use and how much you use.

Cloud-based analytics also gives businesses an effective alternative to predictive analytics, allowing them to cut costs on data that is more than just subjective. There are already a number of cloud analytics services that are being offered by cloud companies, including data social media analytics, and software-as-a-service business intelligence, commonly referred to as SaaS BI. The SaaS BI model is fully scalable, making it a great platform for start-ups to get affordable analytics data.

About the Author

Mauricio is the CEO of Cloudwards.net, a data and user feedback driven comparison engine for cloud apps and services. 

He enjoys writing and producing educational videos around the cloud to help people find the best cloud service for their needs.