Start-up company nivio, providing always-on access to desktop applications, data and Windows environment, will launch a Cloudbook and a CloudPC at price points of $100 and $50 respectively, according to Sachin Dev Duggal, chief wizard at nivio.

The company is now working with OEMs to bring out these no-frill gadgets devices that work on a cloud-based platform. These would aid in data creation as well as consumption. It also tied up with Airtel and Spectra to offer the connectivity to these. This apart, it is also in talks with other network operators, he said.

The Cloudbook and CloudPc, as the name suggests, will rely on storing the data on the cloud, he said. This is an effort to bring new form factors for consumption of data. Also, the company will soon launch its own operating system, Watermellon, by June this year, he told Financial Chronicle.

It recently secured $21 million from Videocon Group and a private equity player. About 30 per cent of it would be spent for acquiring new customers, 50 per cent on research and the remaining on pilot projects.

Nivio is a fully functional Windows desktop offered on a cloud platform allowing the users to pay as per use for the applications. The data is screened to smartphones, tablets, chromebooks, macs and PCs.

Its product nDesktop allows users to switch on and access a full windows desktop from their devices in less than 30 seconds, he said adding that its beta trail began in January, charging $5 per month for up to 10 hours of usage per month.

“The response has been good. We will announce it in India in March,” he said adding that it has set a target of 50,000 desktop users and one million storage customers in India. Among others, it is looking at student community for the numbers and is in talks with a few universities in this regard.

It is banking on apps and desktop subscriptions for its revenues. It now has 120 apps and adding about 10 apps a days and is hopeful of having 5,000 apps by in two years. It expects $2.5 million revenues from in 2012 and $30 million the next year, he said adding that increased use of tablets, its partnership with big players and marketing drives will bring the growth.

It will also focus on small and medium businesses. While it will serve businesses with less 20 seats directly, it will opt partners to serve big customers. It now has data centres in Brisbane, Geneva and Chicago and is studying the legal options of setting up a backup for Indian data centre outside.

krishnamohan@mydigitalfc.com