SourceForge recently caught up with Alex Lee, co-founder and CEO of virtual machine startup Shells, to learn about their upcoming product launch.
What are Shells?
Simply put, Shells are cloud computers accessible on any device with a web connection – smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, game consoles, and older laptops. Shells turn idle screens into full-fledged computers capable of running all the applications necessary to work, learn, code, and create at home or on the move.
How does Shells differentiate itself from the incumbent virtual machine players like VMWare, DigitalOcean Droplets, and VirtualBox?
Shells offers a much simpler user experience for signup and use. The current field of virtual machine providers are almost entirely focused on very tech-savvy users or enterprise clients with in-house technical support teams. We designed Shells to be accessible to novice tech users and experts alike. Accessing your Shell is as easy as opening a browser window or an app, something anyone who’s ever used a computer understands. But once you’re in, the potential is more or less only limited by your imagination. A casual user might be attracted to Shells for simple tasks like collaborating with classmates or coworkers on assignments or presentations, so they want the flexibility of a virtual machine so they don’t need to share a single home computer.
In a nutshell, how does Shells technology work – what is happening in the background when, for example, I log in to Shells through my Smart TV?
Your Shell is running in the cloud, on our servers. Your smart TV, or whichever device you decide to use, will show your screen as it would appear if you were connected to a computer locally, and you have full control. Another way of thinking about it, is that the “guts” of the computer – the processor, the RAM, the memory – are being beamed into the device that’s in front of you. Our blade servers use the latest Intel processors, and we offer varying core and memory configurations, up to four cores and 8GB of RAM.
What are the minimum hardware requirements for using Shells effectively? What kind of internet speeds do I need to feel like I’m actually using a physical computer?
Our most basic hardware requirements are fairly low, and we’ve successfully tested Shells on even the cheapest chromebooks and TVs. We target “>0.2%,” meaning Shells is designed to run on any browser used by at least 0.2 percent of devices found in the US. Basic bandwidth requirements vary but typing in a console only requires a few kB/s, whereas watching a full-screen, high-resolution video would require at least 100Mbps.
Is Shells still usable on a slower or shared connection, if, for example, my partner or my children are connected to my network at the same time on other devices?
Absolutely. Obviously, the more devices running on the same network will slow everyone’s connection, but a user can limit the size of their Shells screen to reduce bandwidth, either by utilizing a device with a smaller screen or by shrinking the window that Shells is running in.
We have a system limiting resolution of 1080p by default to avoid sudden bandwidth spikes or slowdowns, but this is something a user can disable if they choose to.
What is the biggest problem that Shells solves for a developer working from home?
We offer developers a one-stop shop for testing and deployment. With the ability to use different operating systems, both Windows and Linux, developers can utilize their favorite IDE on the operating system they need. We also offer the added advantage of being able to utilize just about any device for that preferred IDE, giving devs a level of flexibility previously not available.
How much bandwidth can Shells handle at launch, and how will you scale up the infrastructure to handle an influx of users?
We’ve already established server blades in multiple locations across the country and the globe, so we’re confident that we can handle an influx of new users post launch. If we need to scale up the infrastructure quickly to meet demand, the combination of our strong relationships with our vendors to deploy new servers quickly coupled with infrastructure built from the ground up to support plug-and-play hardware will allow us to successfully manage growth.
Are you planning to launch in markets outside of North America? When, where, and why?
Our initial focus is definitely on the US market, as it’s the market we’re most familiar with based on previous experience with Private Internet Access – a cybersecurity firm we founded. We’ve also set up blade servers in key European and Asian markets to minimize the latency for potential customers from outside the US. Our plan is to expand our marketing focus to include Japan and Korea in the near future, as we already have a presence in both of those countries, but our goal is definitely to be global when all is said and done!
What kind of security protocols does Shells have in place to ensure user data remains secure and out of the hands of potential bad actors trying to spy on or steal code?
All communication between Shells and your device are encrypted using the latest TLS technology supported by your browser. Users can additionally choose to encrypt their data on their Shell directly using the operating system’s built-in encryption features.
What makes the current Shells team uniquely positioned to succeed in the burgeoning virtual machine and cloud computing categories?
We’re a mission-driven organization that is hyper focused on closing the digital divide as it relates to fair and equal access to computers – an issue that has been unfortunately exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic. We see Shells as more than just a cloud computing solution – it’s an equalizer and a major step toward the “bring your own device” future of computing at large. Our team comes from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, but we’re all driven to provide our users with access to better opportunities through our shared passion for technology. We envision a fairer, greener world – be it through an affordable learning environment for a child curious about coding, or by enhancing old equipment so it doesn’t end up in a landfill. It might sound cliche, but we’re truly on a mission to make the world a better place, and that’s a challenge we’re happy to accept.
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