The convergence of rich Internet apps and the desktop

We've come a long way from manipulating graphical objects on a screen using a mouse to the rounded corners and AJAX magic of Web 2.0 apps. But what's next for software? If a recent column at ZDnet is to be believed, many features that are common in today's Rich Internet Applications (RIA) could start showing up in desktop apps as well. What's more, ZDnet scribe Ryan Stewart sees true convergence on the horizon: the marrying of desktop applications and the web resulting in a desktop that serves as a portal to web-based content. Steward defines the "perfect app" as "one that pulls centrally from the web but actually resides on the client." Given recent trends in virtualization, thin clients and Web 2.0 apps, it certainly seems like the winds are blowing in such a direction.

For more on the convergence of RIA and the desktop:
- see this ZDnet column