[06.11.09]

I just got the iphone and am blown away. I'm now a mobile totin', gadget lovin', tweetin', and cloud app usin' techno geek.

I got us an MobileMe account, which contains our photo library and lives somewhere in cyberspace. Everything there is synched between my computer, phone and MobileMe account. I can take pictures while out on Castle Island, and while on the phone with a friend, upload the photo immediately to MobileMe from the phone, and show her the photo almost instantly. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

We're now doing all our accounting online with a FreshBooks account, tracking our taxes and business expenses. All of this can be linked to our online bank account and to our mint.com account. All of these are on the internet and work together. We're using all kinds of project management tools online too, like goPlan, keeping track of our projects and to do lists that sync up with our calendars and email accounts. If working with a developer who is located 10 miles away, I use goPlan to delegate tasks to him; it will send him an email reminder, or it will pop up on his iphone through the iphone app.

This is a far cry from what was happening a few years ago when browsers were crashing several times a day, and online work spaces were so undependable. So think of what can happen if we start moving entire suites of applications online! It's better for application developers. They don't have to print packaging, burn disks, and supply intrusive software that takes up gigs of space on a computer's hard drive. It also solves the problem of people distributing the software illegally. The consumer will (hopefully) see a cut in price for the apps, because they're living online and are much cheaper to maintain. Plus, if you have troubleshooting needs, the company, for example Adobe, can take care of it. It lives on their server, right? So, as a consumer, you would go to say adobe.com, sign up, pay and then log in to your application. Pretty soon we won't have to install apps on our computers, just log in to a site and use it online through the browser. Amazing!

Things are going to be changing even faster in the world of technology in the next year or two. As long as the telecom companies keep their greedy hands off and stick to what they do best. Stealing money for terrible service and paying congress folks (see "Tubes" Stevens).

Cloud applications can change the way we do things, interact with our friends (already has with things like facebook, twitter, friend feed etc...) and colleagues.

How does this affect small business you might ask? Well, take for instance the Google Docs. This is basically an online version of MS Office. However, it is free. Just with choosing Google Docs over MS Office, saves a small business around $380 per purchase. Plus, it works. Also, take a look at this article! Basically, this does nothing less than describe how the small business or startups are taking on companies like MS and leaving them behind. Remember, you are small, sleek, built for speed and maneuverability, while MS is like navigating a hummer in the North End. You have the ability to beat the big boys. This can pertain to selling locally grown produce, to clothing, to whatever product or line of work you are in. Just listen to what your consumers are demanding, and you will beat the big guys.

So, take a look around you and embrace what is happening in the tech world. Trust me, it is good for you.