It has been nearly three years since Tim O’Reilly talked about ‘Software Above the Level of a Single Device’ on his blog (click here to read it), yet it is still relevant to today. Why? Well the concept is a good one in it’s broadest view every web application embraces this.

For a user to receive data from through the internet there is a least software running on the servers and and software running on the clients end to get this to work, however I don’t this this is the point Tim is trying to make. I like to think of the concept as software allowing you to do more with the device, than if the software was isolated.

Take for example the Foxtel’s IQ cable box. It allows you to view channels, record shows, bring up an EPG all on the device. This functionality is extended through an iPhone App or their website which allows you to program your IQ box through the internet. It has extended your experience from using the software on the device itself, to using web software/ application to view the EPG, schedule in shows to record without using the IQ box directly.

This has extended to other areas inside your home, take a look at the gaming industry. Sony has create an online community, integrated with its products called the Playstation Network (PSN), Microsoft has done the same with X-Box Live and Nintendo with their online community (although very limiting).

I’ve been trying to stay from examples such as Google Maps, E-Mail, Search, Images, Docs, etc simply because it there is so much to talk about and how their software through API’s, Common Protocols, Applications, etc allows their own software to be used on a wide range of devices, but really if you look at any of them you could drill down and see how they are examples of software above the level of a single device. In fact, Minterest.com published an article recently called ‘Over 60 Google Products & Services You Probably Don’t Know‘ that gives you a break down on what Google offers. There is actually a fair few I didn’t know about and haven’t used.

Another similar example of been trying to escape is how the iPhone connects into iTunes on your computer. This then allows you to configure the device, sync selected data such as photos, music, playlists, applications, bookmarks, etc. While iTunes is allowing you to download music, update software on the phone, subscribe to podcasts, add lyrics to songs, download album artwork, etc all without using the iPhone itself. This can all then can synchronised back to the phone. Apple have then added in another software component called mobile.me which could deserve a post in itself (Take a look at Anthony Nicolaides’s post on ‘MobileMe above the level of a single iDevice‘ to find out more).

Looking back on how far we have come in nearly three years. There is still a lot more companies can achieve by providing ‘software above the level of a single device’ as there a still plenty of gaps above. With cloud computing increasing in popularity and continued progression of technology it really is becoming an easier world to live in. All we need now is for companies to not lock themselves into a ‘walled garden’ and the ease of synchronising myself to the digital world will become second nature (Wow! I feel like a holiday, looking at how much I use technology in my daily life.. perhaps I’ll Google holiday resorts on my iPhone).