OnLive bows to Microsoft over Windows for iPad

OnLive, which provides a hosted Windows desktop service for iPad and Android users, is now following at least some of Microsoft's instructions for doing so legally, Microsoft has said.

A month ago, Microsoft said OnLive's service was not compliant with the licensing agreements for Windows, with one problem being the fact that it did not host the virtualised desktops on Windows Server.

On Monday ZDNet UK sister site ZDNet.com reported that Microsoft was now happier about the arrangement than it was back then. However, it does not appear that Microsoft has given OnLive the all-clear yet.

"We're pleased to have been told that the OnLive Desktop application is now accessing our software by hosting it on Windows Server, an important step in delivering any Microsoft-licensed desktop-like service to the public," Microsoft said.

"Based on this information, we will work with OnLive to take a closer look at its service and ensure it is operating according to its license like thousands of other partners and utilising our standing pricing and licensing terms," the company added.

However, according to a separate blog on ZDNet.com, OnLive's back-end switch from Windows 7 to Windows Server 2008 R2 has resulted in a loss of functionality, as Windows 7 was better-optimised for touch.

OnLive, which was previously best known for letting people stream games from the cloud, launched its virtualised Windows 7 and Office products for iOS in January and for Android in March. The company charges a monthly subscription fee, for which its users can access Windows environments on their non-Windows tablets.

Microsoft is set to launch its own tablet-friendly OS, Windows 8, later this year.