Mesh it Together

You have your external hard drive, tucked away in your briefcase. It’s a hassle to carry, but a lifesaver. With the Windows announcement of Live Mesh, toss that baby aside and let Vista do the work.

Called “cloud computing,” this new phenomenon of technology blurs the lines between programs and allows information only accessible in the past from individual gadgets be found in one place on the internet. Hopefully becoming a central unit, the PC of the future with Live Mesh will allow syncing with your cell phone using Windows Mobile software, your Xbox and even your MP3 player. That means, you'll be able to use your phone to control and access information from your computer even if you aren’t at home. Kind of like being a spy, although it’s OK because it’s your own stuff that you’re peeking in on.

Microsoft believes the next wave of technology will merge together and there won’t be single popular devices, but in fact popularity the way they work together. Easy compatibility would be great for fun and play, but also a helpful tool in the workplace. While more specific details were not released, it’s evident that this idea will have some pretty cool features. For now only available on PCs with Vista or XP, eventually this will move on to the Mac platform, as well. Similar to the Time Machine, which allows you to back-up our stuff on an external hard drive, but better because it’s virtual space and not pounds in your bag.

One tester from Microsoft raved about turning on his Xbox at his house from work and playing a song to surprise his wife. Even if Live Mesh was nothing more than just for fun, what a cool joke! [The New York Times]