OnLive Streaming Win 7 Desktop, Apps to iPad, More

On Monday OnLive revealed plans to stream a Windows 7-based desktop and applications like Word and Excel to a number of platforms, starting with the iPad tablet. Called OnLive Desktop, the initial touch-based offering will launch for free on Thursday via Apple's App Store here in the States and "soon" in the UK.

As for other platforms, OnLive Desktop will arrive on Android, smartphones, and the stand-alone OnLive MicroConsole (with Bluetooth and keyboard/mouse support). The Windows-based virtual desktop will also arrive on the PC and Mac clients with support for your typical desktop LCD and HDTVs. So far there's no word on when these will be available, only that they are "coming soon."

According to the company, the free OnLive Desktop client will include Windows 7-based applications like Word, Excel and PowerPoint software supporting instant-response, multi-touch gestures while offering a full on-screen Windows keyboard and handwriting recognition.

"iPad users will now be able to simply and securely view and edit cloud-hosted documents with full-featured Windows desktop applications like Microsoft Office, just as if they were using a local high-performance PC," said Steve Perlman, OnLive Founder and CEO. "Multi-touch gestures respond instantly and smoothly, while HD videos, animations and PC video games—never before usable on a remote desktop—play seamlessly."

The Free OnLive Desktop app comes with 2 GB of secure cloud storage and as-available access to a cloud-based Windows 7 desktop pre-populated with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, plus several utilities and touch games.

Later, OnLive will release a Pro version that comes with 50 GB of storage, the previously-reported OnLive web browser, additional PC apps and more for $9.99 USD per month. OnLive Enterprise will be available for businesses and organizations of all sizes, seeking centralized, secure computing resources, as well as Independent Software Vendors seeking to deliver custom applications. IT professionals and ISVs are asked to contact OnLive at this email address for OnLive Enterprise details and pricing.

For more information and to set up a free account early, head here.