Virtualization software maker VMware released a VMware View Client for the iPad last week, further blurring the lines that once demarcated consumer electronics from enterprise-centric equipment. The free View Client essentially extends VMware's desktop environment to the Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPad tablet, and was described as "responsive and usable" on a first-generation iPad tablet by a Channel Insider reviewer. 

In addition, VMware has also released a vSphere Client that allows managers to view performance metrics, as well as various administration tasks such as starting and stopping virtual machines from an iPad. Indeed, VMware says that administrators will be able to do everything on the iPad vSphere Client that they can do from the standard vSphere desktop interface.

Where the VMware Client is concerned, it must be pointed out that the underlying virtual desktop environment infrastructure is not free, but typically licensed on a per-seat basis. For companies who are either thinking of, or have already deployed desktop virtualization however, the VMware View Client offers the tantalizing ability to deploy a Wi-Fi only version of the iPad paired with a Bluetooth keyboard instead of a computer workstation. The VMware View Client will work over 3G connections too.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at Channel Insider
- check out this article at eWeek

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