CONNECTIX, founded in 1988, is a software company that revolutionized virtualization technology. Their flagship product, Virtual PC, allowed users to run multiple operating systems on a single computer, giving birth to modern virtualization. The company remained under the radar for most of its existence, but it was responsible for some of the earliest and most significant innovations in the field.
Virtual PC, which was first released in 1997, was a techie’s dream. The software not only enabled running multiple OSes on one machine, but it allowed for easy interaction between them, making it ideal for testing software and running simulations. The software also made it easy to create and test backup strategies and disaster recovery mechanisms. But it wasn’t just IT professionals that benefited from the software; it also made it possible for regular users to run critical software without the need for expensive new hardware. In 2003, Microsoft acquired Virtual PC and integrated it into its product line.
But Virtual PC was just the tip of the iceberg. CONNECTIX’s engineers went on to create a prototype for a camera that could mimic the human eye, using sensors and software to replicate the muscle movements of the human eye. The team demonstrated the camera at the 1995 SIGGRAPH conference, rendering 3D images in real-time in response to eye movements. However, the technology was never commercialized.
CONNECTIX went on to develop a video game accessory called the Virtual Game Station, which was the first PlayStation emulator for Macs and PCs. The software allowed users to play PlayStation games on their machines, without the need for the actual console. The Virtual Game Station software was released in 1999, but a year later, Sony filed a lawsuit against Connectix, claiming copyright infringement. After a long legal battle, eventually, Sony agreed to a settlement, and Connectix agreed to discontinue the product. The lawsuit provided some much-needed publicity and attracted the attention of gamers worldwide.
In 2002, Connectix released another game-changing product, the GoBack software. GoBack was a system recovery and restoration software that made it easy to undo disastrous changes that had taken place on a system. If a user had accidentally deleted an important file or made system modifications that rendered the system unusable, GoBack could revert the computer back to its previous state. The software was ideal for situations where users didn’t have the technical knowledge to manually fix system issues.
Connectix also developed a software package that allowed Mac users to run Windows on their machines, which they named Virtual PC for Mac. This was a significant innovation since it allowed Mac users to run Windows applications without having to purchase a dedicated Windows machine. Virtual PC for Mac allowed users to use Windows on their Mac systems, making it ideal for those who needed to run specific applications that were not available for Macs at the time. The software was a commercial success and was acquired by Microsoft in 2003.
In 2003, Microsoft acquired Connectix’s assets, including its intellectual property, patents, and products. The company had quietly amassed an impressive portfolio of products, which complemented Microsoft’s existing lineup. The acquisition allowed Microsoft to become a dominant player in the virtualization market.
Connectix’s impact on the technology industry is undeniable. The company developed groundbreaking software and technologies that shaped the tech world as we know it today. The company introduced the concept of virtualization, which allowed users to run multiple operating systems on a single machine. This technology has become popular in recent years, and it is now an essential component of most data centres and cloud infrastructure.
Virtualization makes it possible for companies to get more value from their hardware investments, while also making it possible to create more secure and flexible IT environments. The technology enhances the availability of data and applications, which increases business continuity. Connectix’s Virtual PC for Mac is a perfect example of how virtualization makes it easy to use different operating systems on a single machine, making it easier for people to use the PCs and applications they need without requiring specialized hardware.
In conclusion, Connectix’s contributions to the technology industry have undoubtedly been significant. The company’s innovations have led to faster development and deployment of critical software, disaster recovery solutions, faster system restoration, and enhanced data security. Connectix’s legacy lives on in its contributions to virtualization technology, and its innovations continue to influence the development of modern technology.