Tech Trends

Windows 365

($20 to $162 per month per users, Microsoft)

Browser-based computing has always been an intriguing frontier because it allows users to run software tasks with nothing more than a web browser and internet connection. These tasks have grown to encompass complex, business-critical activities like word processing (via Google Docs), virtual meeting hosting (via Zoom) and even deployment of electronic health records (via Citrix Workspace). On the fringe of this frontier has lain the holy grail: Desktop as a Service (DaaS) or the ability to run an entire computer from the internet. Tech giants like Amazon, Citrix, VMware and Google have been racing each other to offer the simplest, cheapest and most effective DaaS. In July 2021, Microsoft shook the competition through Windows 365 Cloud PC, a subscription-based, virtual Windows computer accessible through any web browser. This review focuses on the Enterprise plan at $31 per month per user.

What immediately sets Windows 365 apart from other products is its familiarity. Go to a webpage, sign in, and in seconds, users have access to their Windows computer. If the user has other Microsoft products, these resources are automatically synchronized. Software can be installed, and files can be interacted with like in Windows. On a desktop or laptop, the Remote Desktop app from Microsoft greatly enhances the user experience, as multiple monitors can be used and sound can be customized, but it is not a necessity. For users on mobile devices, even though a web browser does work, the Remote Desktop app is almost a prerequisite because the keyboard is not easily accessible without it. Windows 365 is highly reliant on internet bandwidth and has issues with media playback (especially video), but overall, it is admirable with its out-of-the-box compatibility with peripheral devices, ease of use and affordable price point. Having a web-browser computer seems like a novelty until users see that any device — laptop, desktop, phone or tablet — becomes a full-fledged computer, which means that hardware maintenance and lost productivity due to hardware failure are things of the past for those with Windows 365. Consequently, dental practices looking to improve security, resolve application licensing concerns and remove hardware maintenance headaches should consider utilizing Windows 365.

— Alexander Lee, DMD

HOOBS

($219, HOOBS)

Owning multiple smart home devices, each with their own separate apps and accounts, can be difficult to control and manage. Apple, Amazon and Google have each developed their own hub services, named HomeKit, Alexa and Nest respectively, to integrate these smart home devices. However, not all devices are compatible with these ecosystems. HOOBS, which stands for “Homebridge Out Of the Box System,” is an easy way to integrate unsupported smart home devices into Apple HomeKit.

HOOBS is available in several versions: a starter kit that contains a plug-and-play hub, a microSD card with HOOBS preinstalled for Raspberry Pi or a downloadable image of HOOBS that can be flashed to a microSD card for use in a Raspberry Pi. When connected to the home network using ethernet, users can set up their hub through the web browser. After setup is complete, users simply install plug-ins from a library containing the most popular smart home device manufacturers available. Each plug-in has easy-tofollow instructions and specific information that needs to be entered to integrate with the hub. When a plug-in is installed and configured correctly, a HomeKit code is displayed that users can then scan in their Apple Home app to add their accessories. HOOBS accessories appear and function in Apple Home just like normal HomeKit accessories and can be individually controlled or added to automation schedules. Automatic software and plug-in updates ensure that the latest security and bug fixes are implemented. Because HOOBS is developed in the open-source community, some plug-ins require technical knowledge and advanced skills to be able to install and function properly. However, many accessories from popular manufacturers such as Ring, Philips Hue and myQ have easy configurations for their plug-in installations. Users who mainly have these devices and want to integrate them into Apple Home will find HOOBS to be simple to set up and operate, but experiences may vary.

— Hubert Chan, DDS