OnLive Desktop Finally Arrives on Android Tablets
Android tablet owners can now stream a Windows desktop environment right to their device.
OnLive announced on Thursday that iPad owners no longer have exclusive dibs to its Desktop app, as the service is now available on Google's Android Market.
As with the iOS version, the free OnLive Desktop app for Android tablets streams a virtual Windows desktop to the device, packing full "installed" programs like Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint software and Adobe Reader for PDFs. Users also get 2 GB of free cloud storage for storing desktop documents.
For the uninitiated, OnLive Desktop actually resides on remote PCs in the cloud that are connected by Gigabit Ethernet to the Internet. Using the same tech that OnLive uses to stream PC games to PCs, tablets and smartphones, the OnLive Desktop app acts like a "receiver," providing an instantly responsive, seamless Windows environment and Web experience. The app also includes a full PC on-screen keyboard, handwriting recognition and support for an optional Bluetooth PC-compatible keyboard or mouse.
In addition to the free account, OnLive provides two premium accounts and an Enterprise account. Whereas the free OnLive Desktop Standard account provides as-available access (meaning wait in line), OnLive Desktop Plus ($4.99/month) packs all the features of Standard but gives subscribers priority access. Subscribers also get access to the cloud-accelerated Web browser featuring lightning-fast attachment transfers and full Flash and Acrobat PDF plug-ins.
As for OnLive Desktop Pro ($9.99/month), this model builds upon the Plus version by adding 50 GB of cloud storage (appears as a Documents folder) and the ability to customize the virtual desktop with additional PC applications. There's also OnLive Enterprise which features an IT-managed environment for businesses and organizations. This version is available for custom integration by independent software vendors and consultants.
OnLive collaborative services—including live desktop spectating and desktop sharing with voice chat for small groups or thousands of simultaneous users—are coming soon to OnLive Desktop Pro and OnLive Enterprise, the company says.
"Android tablets are a great platform for OnLive Desktop," said Steve Perlman, OnLive Founder and CEO. "With full HD resolution, PC keyboard/mouse support and available 4G LTE, Android tablets deliver an excellent experience with full Microsoft Office and Adobe Reader PC applications, not to mention gigabit-accelerated browsing through OnLive Desktop Plus—even over 4G LTE."
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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joytech22 Or.. You could use Splashtop remote desktop and control your PC and after the initial purchase there's no monthly fees.Reply
Splashtop is only as fast as your home network, tablet and computer.
So for most people here, I think a 30fps experience is more than sufficient. -
del35 I love the way the misleading title makes it sounds like Android users are behind the curve when as Joytech22 states they have been able to use a better service for a long time. Hopefully one of these days iCrap will catch up and finally allow Java and flash, truly ubiquitous productivity services, run in their devices. How about adding more connectivity on those locked-down Apple devices?Reply -
tical2399 hold on, They are saying this was announced yesterday??? I bought my wife an HTC Flyer about 2 weeks ago and this was already one it when I did the update to honeycomb.Reply
How did they announce it yesterday when it seems to have been out for 2 weeks at minimum (when i bought and updated the flyer)? -
jackbling onlive desktop isnt an rdp app(exactly), you are accessing a vm hosted by onlive, the free version gives you 2 gigs of storage and access to productivity apps(could reaaaaly use adobe reader). It is kinda tough to complain about free. And while cool on android, the rediculously limited ipad is where it shines.Reply
For rdp tho, splashtop is flawless. -
DaddyW123 For RDP - I've been using TeamViewer. I had it on my iPhone over a year ago before I switched, and I have it now on my Thunderbolt. It works fantastically - only downfall is that the free version leaves a message on the target machine every time you disconnect saying "this was the free version, if you are using this for corporate use, please pay for it..." blah blah blah. It's annoying because if I connect to my home HTPC and then disconnect. It leaves that message up on the screen, and kind of messes with my wife the next time she tries to use the HTPC.Reply
So I might look into this "Splashtop" you all seem to be raving about just to see if it doesn't leave that warning message behind. But other than that, I have been MORE than happy with TeamViewer.