Seriously, what's with all the WebOS applications?

by Brad Linder Aug 23rd 2007

It seems like every week a few dozen companies pump out new online "operating systems," commonly referred to as WebOSes. Essentially, they're like virtual desktops that you can access from any web browser. Each lets you run a small suite of applications like a word processor, spreadsheet, calculator, instant messenger, and in some cases, even a web browser.

This week, French company Jooce launched a beta version of a slick looking WebOS, and we shrugged. It's hard to care anymore. Mashable's put together a list of more than 45 WebOS applications. And that might be just the tip of the iceberg.

Sure, the world would be a better place if we had more than 3 or 4 desktop operating systems to choose from (assuming you don't run into file compatibility problems). But seriously, do we need 50 different webtops? In fact, do we need one? There's not a single thing you can do with Jooce, EyeOS, Ataloo, AjaxWindows, or any other WebOS that you can't do with Zoho, Google Docs & Spreadsheets, and a good online storage site.

We could see a WebOS being useful if the world was filled with dumb terminals that had nothing but a web browser installed. Then you could go to any terminal and access a powerful online desktop. But instead, you can use your powerful computer to access a stripped down version of all the same tools that are already on your desktop.

Seriously, does anybody actually use any of these services? Bueller? Bueller?

Tags: ajaxwindows, ataloo, eyeos, jooce, mashable, webos

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jason said 3:54PM on 8-23-2007

No, we don't need them. But I assume they're all hoping that they'll have some neat little tech that will compel Google or Yahoo to buy them out for millions.

kingkool68 said 4:17PM on 8-23-2007

Whichever one lets you open up a webOS in it's own webOS browser for infinity wins in my book!

1 said 5:30PM on 8-23-2007

yeah its sad.
and to think of of those coders in my hands would create meaningful web changin applications..

Andrew Min said 5:37PM on 8-23-2007

First of all, I'm the Mashable writer you linked to. So I'm a little biased. But I believe we will use WebOSes. First, I believe we'll be using them down the road. After all, what if you could just log into GoogleOS at any internet cafe on the planet? All your docs, music, and videos.

Second, there's a solution we can use NOW. Why store your files on Box.net when you could store them at Desktoptwo and have the ability to edit them with the fully featured OpenOffice.org? IE, it's a better solution for file hosting.

Jeff said 11:30PM on 8-23-2007

The advantage I see is what was mentioned - having everything in one place.

All the apps offered by anyone in the world - doesn't help if you don't have it all in one place for you.

Now, if there was a "Yahoo! Desktop" or a "GoogTop" - with all the apps, plus storage and email, and some extra goodies... might be worth it.

But until then - yeah, not much good for it... yet.

bonelyfish said 2:36AM on 8-24-2007

Will don't they have the blue screen of death? It only proved that programming is so much simpler than being innovative.

teamjooce said 7:28AM on 8-24-2007

These are all good arguments, and we do appreciate all of the feedback that we have been getting. Jooce is much more than meets the eye, it is not your typical vanilla webOS, there is a meta computing component to jooce which is the key ( what the heck is that?!? ). Unfortunately, I can’t reveal all at the moment but, there are some features we are working on at jooce that we think will shake a few things up. Stay tooned

Rami said 9:34AM on 8-24-2007

I think we are all moving to work online. Web OS concept is very real not only for geeks but for users who want to be free and not limited to a specific PC whether students at school, people at work or people at Internet Cafes.

Try G.ho.st the Global Hosted Operating SysTem at hppt://G.ho.st. It provides 3GB of free online and works with 3rd party applications.

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