Cloud Computing: Freedom From the Matrix

The cloud cometh.

Cloud computing, the notion that computers will eventually serve as gateways to online storage, software and communications, is gaining mindshare throughout the technology world. Pioneers of remote applications like Salesforce.com (CRM) have seen users flock to their online services, which facilitate communication and the sharing of files without regard for proximity.

As our mobile phones become increasingly powerful, modern computers with beefy hard drives are finding their usefulness begin to dwindle. To that end, handset makers are rapidly expanding the capabilities of their iPhones (AAPL), Blackberrys (RIMM) and Treos (PALM) to accommodate this trend toward computing -- and generally living -- in the cloud.

Nokia (NOK), the world’s largest handset maker, is said to be pursuing a deeper partnership with the leader in social networking, Facebook. The companies hope to capitalize on one other’s access to the end-user. Facebook and rival MySpace have already built popular applications for the iPhone and Blackberry.

One potential snag in the Nokia-Facebook deal centers on access to valuable consumer- behavior data: Nokia is reticent to part with information about the browsing patterns and buying trends of its users. 

Even though mobile-phone software makers are, by in large, still trying to come up with the magical formula that will allow them to make money from the use of applications, competition is fierce to create the next dominant cell-phone widget.

As the US catches up with Japan and Europe in terms of  dependence on mobile phones (yes, it's possible to be more reliant on cell phones than we already are), devices will continue to tresspass on the turf of the Dells (DELL) and Hewlett Packards (HPQ) of the world.

Future generations will no doubt listen to our stories about  things like wires, mice and keyboards and mock us mercilessly.