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Wednesday, January 16, 2008 Instant Boot-UpA Silicon Valley startup bypasses Windows to start computers faster, getting people online in seconds. By Kate Greene
Many office workers have the same morning routine: turn on the computer, then grab coffee, catch up with coworkers, or look at paperwork while Windows boots up. Others save time, but waste energy, by keeping their machines on all the time. Now Device VM, a startup based in Silicon Valley, has a product that circumvents the everlasting boot-up. The company has recently released a tiny piece of software that, when integrated with common computer hardware, gives users the option to boot either Windows or a faster, less-complex operating system called Splashtop. Depending on the hardware and Splashtop settings, a person using the software--which is based on the open-source operating system Linux--can start surfing the Web or watching a DVD in less than 20 seconds, and, in some cases, in less than five. DeviceVM has formed partnerships with several hardware manufacturers, and Splashtop is already available on hardware from Asus, a manufacturer of motherboards, the main circuit boards inside computers. Within the next couple of months, desktops and laptops with Splashtop-enabled hardware will be available to consumers, says David Speiser, director of business development at DeviceVM. Lengthy boot-ups on Windows machines occur for a number of reasons, explains Ben Chong, senior architect at DeviceVM. "First of all," he says, "Windows is pretty big." This means that it has megabytes of instructions to follow--from opening up applications to checking what's in memory. Most computers also come with extra software that Windows automatically loads at startup. "In many cases, Windows PC comes with a whole bunch of stuff you don't need," Chong says. "Starting all of the programs takes a lot of time." (Microsoft wasn't able to comment on Windows' startup times before this article went up.) Hitting the power button on any computer loads software called the basic input-output system, or BIOS, which is often stored in flash memory. The BIOS checks for hardware drivers and sets up the operating system. Splashtop is embedded in the BIOS, so it starts before the operating system is up and running. The user sees a screen with a simple interface offering a handful of options, including launching the Firefox Web browser, a media player, Skype, or an instant-messaging program, or allowing Windows to boot. The applications are stored in a flash-memory chip on the motherboard, so they can be quickly accessed--even if the hard drive fails, Speiser notes. DeviceVM is not alone in its effort to give people a way to bypass Windows. Phoenix Technologies, a company that develops BIOSes that run on many computers, recently announced a technology called HyperSpace, a lightweight operating system that launches at the same time Windows does. (DeviceVM is also developing a version of Splashtop that can boot alongside Windows.) HyperSpace is expected to be available in laptops in the second half of this year. For its part, Intel is developing both hardware and software that will shorten boot times. "We see boot time as something in which there is room for improvement," says Steve Grobman, director of Intel's business-client architecture group. Intel is currently shipping Intel Turbo Memory, which boots Windows faster by caching data in flash memory instead of on the hard drive. It also consumes less power, which is a concern in mobile devices. Grobman says that Turbo Memory works in conjunction with software coming from Microsoft, called ReadyDrive and ReadyBoost. Grobman adds that Splashtop also resembles the lightweight operating systems found on some mobile devices, which allow access to only a few applications at a time. "I think Splashtop's capability is the same concept, but it's making it a little bit more general purpose," since it works on desktop and laptop machines, Grobman says. "It's a positive development in that it's making the PC easier to use in certain circumstances." |
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Flash Memory Moves onto the Desktop
03/22/2007
Comments
rlindsl on 01/16/2008 at 1:25 AM
7
rdvandell on 01/16/2008 at 9:47 AM
11
gjcoram on 01/17/2008 at 11:48 AM
6
> if I could have it NOW.
I have one: it's in my HP Jornada 820 from 1999. Runs WindowsCE from flash, so it's instant-on. Slightly cramped keyboard (it's a "handheld" not a "pocket" pc), but multi-hour run time.
rhansing on 01/16/2008 at 12:17 PM
11
fobds2 on 01/17/2008 at 7:59 AM
1
let's say this hypothetical non tech guy just wants to run skype and browse the web, instead of booting into a full OS, he just turns on the computer and is running his desired task within a few seconds. The advantage is in its simplicity. I gave my grandparents a computer last year, and it has been a chore to get them up to speed. a lightweight OS that distills the UI down to an absolute minimum is both needed and appreciated. Also, instead of needing an SSD or a hard drive, this thing runs of of embedded flash, further simplyfying the PC.
As for replacing your motherboard, don't (especially since you're running a mac, and apple has no part in this). If this innovation isn't for you, that's ok.
The fact is that we will be seeing embedded flash on most all motherboards in the near future, so it is simple, cheap, and easy to give users a choice between a quick and elegant embedded OS or a full blown windows/*nix/etc. install. Give them the option, and the market will sort out the rest.
jamarks on 01/16/2008 at 9:39 PM
1
Now can we read/write to the hardisk?
Trix on 01/16/2008 at 11:03 PM
1
I wouldn't doubt if this startup goes under.
rdvandell on 01/17/2008 at 3:29 PM
11
VisDoz out-of-the-box will even get to the UI fairly well, but after you install things to actually do something productive, (web server, database, OneCare) e.t.c, then go get some java (no pun intended).
cwflink on 01/17/2008 at 12:39 AM
1
Note however, all my PCs use OneCare to weekly clean and groom themselves while I sleep. They will reboot themselves for upgrades, etc. but I don't see that. I also use OneCare to clean out all the useless startup programs from 3rd party add-ons that PC mfgrs are paid by these 3rd parties to stick in... that is the trash that clogs up Windows.
BUT! ...I want to see more of these "micro OSes". They are moving in the right direction. What I REALLY want is all my software on a thumb drive and all PCs reduced to HDTVs with wireless keyboards. Then I'd walk up to any TV and plug in my thumbdrive, have totally MY personal environment, leaving no permanent info of mine on the PC/TV, AND NOT HAVE TO TRUST ANYTHING but the firmware burned in at the factory and certified to be secure. THAT is the instant boot I want!
canadianisms on 02/01/2008 at 10:14 AM
2
The huge advantage to this that I could see would be in education. Once schools start to convert over to electronic textbooks, school work could be done on any school computer instantly. And wouldn't even need to bring the PC with you. There is also file shareing capability here. The class all just plugs into one PC and share their ideas.
Interesting concept either way. I could go for it
Perl on 01/17/2008 at 7:45 AM
1
rnojonson on 01/17/2008 at 12:42 PM
3
Faster boot up should not be dependent on how well a user sets up and maintains their machine. I like the idea of putting web and email in the BIOS. It's less complicated than wading through the OS. Splashtop looks good from here, very encouraging.
jpdemers on 01/18/2008 at 8:56 AM
29
rnojonson on 01/19/2008 at 1:36 PM
3
Biotele on 01/25/2008 at 9:15 AM
8
The computer will always be on, and rebooting will be used only to debug or add hardware.
dudeman101 on 01/29/2008 at 1:08 PM
1
canadianisms on 02/01/2008 at 10:01 AM
2
I also don't see this as a HUGE development. I don't think this has very much ability to grow to grow to compete with "normal" OS's. The next major step in instant-on in my opinion is in the memory. I have heard rumors of "plastic memory", like the magnetic strip on a credit card which will allow all your data to essentially be saved as if your computer just went into stand-by. Just press a key and keep going.