The technology trends positioning web apps to compete effectively with desktop apps is one that has engaged the better parts of the developer communities efforts. Google, definitely is at the forefront of the current innovation, with its Chrome browser, working out the speed requirements - SSL False Start (TLS Implementation), a client-side only change to reduce the overall SSL connection setup time.

Transport Layer Security (TLS), dubbed SSL False Start, has undergone a benchmark performance test by Google software engineer team, according to the Chromium blog. The result yielded significant reduction in overall SSL connection setup time, the latency to the SSL handshake was reduced by 30%.

The performance test was implemented in Chrome 9, with the results relatively stunning, even as more content providers embraces SSL for secure connection to the web.

Google compiled a list of all known https websites from its index, and the False Start test was carried out on all the listed websites. However, implementing SSL False Start was backward compatibility, there was no easy way to know whether it will work on all websites. The result of the tests were as follows: 94.6% succeeded, 5% timed-out, while 0.4% failed.

How the data would be interpreted by other browser vendors and the model effectively adopted into the mainstream of server-side security using SSL/TLS protocol remains to be seen.

Transport Layer Security (TLS) Application

The technology convergence bringing the web and mobile platforms together, and how businesses can leverage the emerging technology platforms, are questions that had been on the table of technology analysts since the advent of the mobile web. Technology trends as it relates to businesses, innovations that cut across online video, instant messaging and voice communication are the collaboration platforms of modern enterprises.

Microsoft has distinguished its products with special preference for business usage, an arsenal of collaboration tools, and now have concluded a deal for the acquisition of Skype, the voice and video communication provider. Also, cloud-based services have been on Microsoft's drawing board, which will greatly enhance its Exchange email and SharePoint platforms.

Skype acquisition has been seen as Microsoft's answer to Google Voice, and the FaceTime service from Apple, apps which have had more mobile applications than its web usage. Application development is a continuum that must embrace the novel idea of merging the mobile and web software.

As internet access becomes ubiquitous, less identification of applications as mobile or web apps will perhaps be the greatest challenge to the developer communities.

However, the major challenge to the actualization of a mobile web convergence may perhaps rest on the implementation of a true open web system. The open web system will afford a freedom to publish code and implement the standards that content/apps will depend.

Collaboration: Mobile Web Convergence

Now, you can take your Google Docs everywhere you go, courtesy of an Android app that was recently announced by Google. Google Docs, which is fast becoming a viable alternative to the ever popular Microsoft Office now spots an all important element in the availability of the service on the mobile platform.

The Cloud storage facility, earlier added to the service, making the availability of users data on Google Docs accessible everywhere there is an internet connection, a feature that has endeared it to the heart of the busy executives, who are always on the go, remains strategic to the success of the service.

The new Google Docs app for Android, makes it easy to access, edit and share documents on the go. You can filter and search for your contents across all Google accounts right from within the app.

The uniqueness of the app, however, stems from the fact that it appears to be native to the Android OS and seems to rather load the web-based Google Docs service, allowing quick access to your cloud-based documents. You can also toggle between documents and shared items in your account, in addition, also upload content from your mobile device and open documents direct from Gmail.

The interface allows you to add widget, for easy access to core services which includes: jumping to starred documents, taking a photo to upload, and creating a new document with a single tap of the button. The new technology of optical character recognition (OCR) is also called to bear, using the app and your phone camera, you can turn photos with text into editable Google documents.

The Google Docs app for Android is currently available in English and supports Android 2.1 and above. It can be downloaded free from the Android Market Place.

Google Docs On The Go