Plug the Cloud

Interesting read over the weekend at NY Times. Plugging In $40 Computers goes into the world of mini-servers about the size of a large DC Charger. With 512 MB Flash, 512 MB RAM, USB and Gigabit Ethernet, these computers have some chops. No video though.

Obvious uses around the house would be file and print servers. It will not be too long before these type of devices are running wi-fi and dedicated applications. Home security, appliance monitoring and digital media management clearly have value. I could see other applications for remote monitoring in hard to reach places such as agriculture, undersea or a volcano as these devices have cell and additional power added.

Another interesting article on the Plug that is referenced in the NY Times article and is worth a look: Hackers Weigh In: 8 Big Things to Do with a Mini Server.

Enterprise applications could include clustering, intelligent scanning and other logistics applications. Need to think on that some more. The size and price point to many of the arguments raised by Nicholas Carr’s Big Switch.

Check PlugComputer.org for the details. Interesting stuff.