First Look at Blue Spruce, IBM's Next Generation Browser Platform
IBM is about to commit itself heavily to browser-based applications. The giant IT company is quietly working on a project called Blue Spruce, which aims to create a fully browser-based application development platform. ReadWriteWeb was given an exclusive first look at Blue Spruce at the Web 2.0 Summit, where we sat down with IBM's VP of Emerging Internet Technologies, Rod Smith, for a "show and tell" of what IBM claims will be the next evolution of the browser. What's more, it's fully open standards based - so it is squarely aimed at challenging the proprietary-rich Internet platforms of Microsoft's Silverlight and Adobe's Flash.
Editor's note: Looking back over 2008, there were some posts on ReadWriteWeb that did not get the attention we felt they deserved - whether because of timing, competing news stories, etc. So in this end-of-year series, called Redux, we're resurrecting some of those hidden gems. This is one of them, we hope you enjoy (re)reading it!
Blue Spruce is a project within IBM that is only about 5 months old. Up till now it hasn't been shown publicly. Blue Spruce isn't yet complete, but conceptually it is two different things:
- Project Blue Spruce Client Toolkit
- Project Blue Spruce Co-Web Server
Here's a summary of what we know so far about the Blue Spruce platform:
- Uses the WebKit Open Source Browser Engine (in the demo we saw, Safari was the browser being used)
- Uses the following Open standards: HTML, JavaScript, CSS, (All Ajax), XMPP, H.264
- Server runs on Linux, MacOS X
- Utilized OpenAjax Metadata Specification, so it can utilize any widgets
- It's being ported to IE 6+ and Firefox
NOT a Web Browser, But is a Platform
To be clear, IBM is not developing another browser. The client part of this project is based on a set of browser-based open standards technologies. They will in time (2010 timeframe) be integrated into existing browsers such as Safari, Firefox and IE.
The grand plan for IBM, we think, is that it wants the browser to become the platform for applications - thus putting pressure on companies like Microsoft and Adobe, which still rely heavily on desktop applications (albeit these days connected to the web).
It's also worth noting that this isn't (yet) an open source project. Rod Smith described it to us as a "community-sourced" project, meaning that it's built on open standards and so others in the developer community can contribute. Smith said it "may" become an open source project in future, but it's too early to say.
Why is IBM Heading to the Browser?
We asked IBM VP of Emerging Internet Technologies, Rod Smith, why IBM is moving to browser-based applications. He replied that customers have been consistently telling them for 1-1.5 years now that they don't want to do installs anymore. Their customers want the rich experience that desktop apps have traditionally provided, but they want to have it in the browser. Collaboration and sharing data is also a trend that IBM is tapping into with Blue Spruce.
Proof of Concept Applications
At this time, Blue Spruce is in a closed beta period. IBM is creating applications for a number of customers, including Reuters and hospitals in Boston and New Zealand. They're focusing on 3 main areas right now: finance, health and "heavy industry" (defined as utilities, rail, steel, etc). As the project matures, we can expect to see IBM stepping up its application development efforts - services are after all a key part of IBM's business.
ReadWriteWeb was shown a number of 'proof of concept' demos. The functionality included Ajax-based mashups being used simultaneously by users in different locations (one in San Francisco, the other in Boston), audio and live streaming video (VGA currently, but HD is on the way) integrated with mashups, IM and feeds on the one browser page, and more rich functionality.
In other words, there were many different components (mashups, video, audio, etc.) all happening on the same browser page. Multiple users can interact with these components in real-time and see each others changes. As IBM explained it, all of the components are live and all participants can cause change that will be propagated. This will enable customers to have 'live meetings' and collaborate on applications - all within the browser.
It's unusual to see this level of functionality in a browser currently, so we think Blue Spruce could potentially be a big deal. It certainly will make big Internet companies like Microsoft, Adobe and probably even Google sit up and take notice of Big Blue.
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I did saw it back when you first published it. even wrote a reply to it. and i am left with the same conclusion. unless this would be adopted by google or yahoo or even aol. it will not go anywhere into the consumer market. it may make some moves in the enterprise and the specialized markets. but i cannot see it beating even JavaFX from sun. that is quite late as it is to Silverlight and Adobe multiple initiatives. and there relies the problem. its IBM versus Microsoft, Adobe and Sun.
So i remain with my original opinion. unless it is adopted by one or two of the Top 5 Online Companies. this will not go anywhere far. just like many other IBM experiments in the past.
And even if does gets adopted by one or two of the top online companies. it cannot see it winning against Silverlight or even JavaFX. they are coming dead last to gate. by the time they properly launch this. even javafx will be 6 months out and Silverlight will be in the path for version 3.0...
Do we really need another one???? How is this different to what Flash, Flex and Silverlight do already???
Posted by: Roberto Bonini
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December 25, 2008 1:54 PM
No, Roberto, we don't need another one which is why this will probably be the last time you hear about "Blue Spruce".
Posted by: Sprague D
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December 25, 2008 1:59 PM
thanks..
And even if we did, who would develop for it?? Visual Studio users do Silverlight and every one else does Flash (or Flex if they are adventurous enough). Theres more to uptake than being standard compliant. Just look at Opera.
Posted by: Roberto Bonini
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December 25, 2008 2:14 PM
I really like the Redux series.
The only interesting thing about this is XMPP. They better not be trying to push this as a new RIA technology, as it is FAR FAR FAR from competing with Silverlight or Flex. (and IBM are nowhere near competent enough to be able to build a RIA technology)
I guess the comments. make my point clear in the first comment. IBM is already to late to the RIA game. more if they try to push a browser technology which only merit is being able to generate interactions of widget modules in a page and because they happen to have a channel of interaction to users visiting the page. that is something that Silverlight can also do, same goes for JavaFx. Flash or flex i do ignore if they can do such a thing.
The idea really looks good and the goals IBM is trying to achieve is also appreciatable. But can it still with stand the competition of Silverlight and Adobe Flex/ Adobe AIR. These features still look to be a feather to Microsoft and Adobe who are already having a very strongly stably built platforms (Silverlight and Flex). It would take them no time to actually incorporate these features in their Platforms....!!!
All for it. We need more heavy weights like IBM pushing stronger applications within the context of the browser. Low-level abilities; instant deploy and all that good stuff.
Man, even that demo app for medicine is exciting. Can you imagine the medical revolution that could take place in the United States if we could leverage lower-cost doctors from other countries? The cost of health care might actually begin to decrease for once-or we could also export the highest talent in the world to save people in remote locations.
The internet doesn't need more video players, and mp3 playlist apps, it needs stuff like this- deep, integrated powerful functionality enabling true collaboration and information sharing. Shame on commenters above for not cheering on projects like this.
They only chance for this ambitious project to survive in the long run is by open-sourcing the additions, so that end users don't have to install another plugin.
Of course, if Flash and Silverlight do integrate XMPP into their featureset, this is becoming a redundant plugin type of a thing (comparable to http://www.curl.com/).
But imagine these technologies becoming a core part of current browsers.
Just like Google is pushing Chrome (and its V8-Javascript Engine + Gears Plugin), IBM should use this technological layer to foster service-based innovation.
Only if the underlying technology is convergent enough and runs out of the box will people be able to benefit from this type of innovation. Who knows what other types of applications will result from this?