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Mobile virtualization is one of those trends that is much discussed but has never really taken off, outside a few niches like DoCoMo's multiple-OS enterprise handset. However, the ability to run different software platforms, or multiple user identities, on a single device will become more important as mobile products carry more of the burden of business and pleasure behaviour. Vendors are starting to respond. Desktop virtualization majors Citrix and VMware have released products for the iPad, with tablets potentially being a richer field for this approach than phones. Meanwhile, mobile management firm Red Bend has acquired one of the mobile specialists, VirtualLogix.

VMware demonstrated VMware View for the iPad at its partner conference last week, though it did not give a release date, and has already been pipped at the post by Citrix' announcement of Citrix Receiver for iPad. Both products will extend existing desktop software to the Apple device, allowing users to access server hosted desktops over a secure connection.

Raj Mallempati, VMware's director of desktop product marketing, told the event: "We want to get this as early as possible", though for now he recommends a partner product. "Right now, if somebody wants to access a virtual desktop from their iPad, the recommended solution is Wyse PocketCloud. Obviously, it's not VMware technology, but we worked with Wyse to make sure PocketCloud is integrated with View 4.5."

Despite the lag behind Citrix, Mallempati says VMware will have a better approach because it will have secure access to SaaS (software as a service), in addition to Windows desktops. As reported by NetworkWorld, he said: "The big difference between us and Citrix, is we are looking at a world which is not just Microsoft. So that implies it's not just a diversity of devices, it's a diversity of applications."

Citrix, however, has unveiled its Dazzle self-service storefront, which provides an iTunes-like interface for direct access to business apps, including their company's SaaS functions.

RedBend, a mobile software management company, has thrown its hat in the ring by acquiring VirtualLogix, which creates virtualization software for x86 and ARM processors, separating software from the mobile hardware it runs on. Using the VirtualLogix software, a new chip can be designed without having to integrate each chip design tightly with a particular operating system. ST-Ericsson is reusing its existing real time operating system in chipsets with VirtualLogix software, said the company, and can run it alongside a choice of high level OSs.

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