Abstract: A method includes preparing images of a remote desktop including an open cloud-application window object corresponding to an instance of a network-hosted application executing on a network, encoding the images of the remote desktop as image frames in a video stream, and transmitting the video stream over the network to a computing device. The images the remote desktop are encoded such that when decoded, reconstructed, and displayed on a local desktop of the computing device, the open cloud-application window object corresponding to the instance of the network-hosted application executing on the network has the appearance and behavior of an open window corresponding to a natively-operating application on the local desktop of the computing device.

Abstract: A method includes preparing images of a remote desktop including an open cloud-application window object corresponding to an instance of a network-hosted application executing on a network, encoding the images of the remote desktop as image frames in a video stream, and transmitting the video stream over the network to a computing device. The images the remote desktop are encoded such that when decoded, reconstructed, and displayed on a local desktop of the computing device, the open cloud-application window object corresponding to the instance of the network-hosted application executing on the network has the appearance and behavior of an open window corresponding to a natively-operating application on the local desktop of the computing device.

Abstract: A method includes establishing a registry in which a filename extension of a file or document is associated with at least one network-hosted application that is capable of processing files having that filename extension. The method further includes configuring a cloud computing service to respond to a user-selection, on a personal computing device, of a network-hosted file having a particular filename extension for processing by using the registry to select a network-hosted application that is capable of processing files having that particular filename extension.

Abstract: A system for securely mediating messages between a native application and a browser application on a computing device includes running the browser application and a browser process that controls access by the browser-based application to the native resource. The browser process may use a data file distributed with the native application to allow or deny communications between the browser-based application and the native application. When communications are allowed the browser-based application accesses the native resource via the native application. In one implementation, the browser process may initiate a native messaging host and send communication requests to the native messaging host. The data file may be downloaded with the native application or separately from the native application from a site that distributes the native application or a site controlled by the developer of the native application. The data file identifies browser-based applications allowed to communicate with the native application.

Abstract: A system for securely mediating messages between a native application and a browser application on a computing device includes running the browser application and a browser process that controls access by the browser-based application to the native resource. The browser process may use a data file distributed with the native application to allow or deny communications between the browser-based application and the native application. When communications are allowed the browser-based application accesses the native resource via the native application. In one implementation, the browser process may initiate a native messaging host and send communication requests to the native messaging host. The data file may be downloaded with the native application or separately from the native application from a site that distributes the native application or a site controlled by the developer of the native application. The data file identifies browser-based applications allowed to communicate with the native application.

Abstract: A method includes establishing a registry in which a filename extension of a file or document is associated with at least one network-hosted application that is capable of processing files having that filename extension. The method further includes configuring a cloud computing service to respond to a user-selection, on a personal computing device, of a network-hosted file having a particular filename extension for processing by using the registry to select a network-hosted application that is capable of processing files having that particular filename extension.

Abstract: A method includes preparing images of a remote desktop including an open cloud-application window object corresponding to an instance of a network-hosted application executing on a network, encoding the images of the remote desktop as image frames in a video stream, and transmitting the video stream over the network to a computing device. The images the remote desktop are encoded such that when decoded, reconstructed, and displayed on a local desktop of the computing device, the open cloud-application window object corresponding to the instance of the network-hosted application executing on the network has the appearance and behavior of an open window corresponding to a natively-operating application on the local desktop of the computing device.