New Players in Cloud

More and more companies are jumping into cloud computing after realizing the huge potential it has to offer. Just last week Verizon made the leap by acquiring Terremark Worldwide. It seems a surprising move, but looking closely, it makes total sense. Verizon is correct that IPads and IPhones mean mobility, and cloud plays a huge part in mobile applications. Cloud and mobile do go hand in hand, considering that a lot of apps may be storing data in the cloud since cellphones are not as powerful as desktops.

HP has stepped up their cloud computing lineup while Intel is investing heavily into research in cloud computing. A lot of new trends are emerging this year surround cloud and its application. Surveys are revealing increased spending towards cloud infrastructure. Businesses, big and small have started using cloud services to support their operations.

One question that still comes up for me is – how will cloud affect an individual user? How does one single person use cloud services to his or her advantage? As someone who backed up all 2010 videos and pictures to physical DVDs in spite of owning two external hard drives – how will cloud give me the assurance that my data will remain safe? How will it seamlessly integrate with all my computers, so I don’t know the difference? If I want to pursue, software development using cloud platform, is it affordable?