Phoenix Technologies, one of the biggest creators of BIOS software today announced a new technology called HyperSpace. It is a platform that will allow applications to run before, during, and after Windows boots in a self-contained space. The advantages are clear: no need to wait for the computer to boot, no need to consume all the power needed to run Windows in order to perform a simple action, such as playing DVDs, and a secure environment separated from the OS itself. Phoenix says of the possible applications, "multi-media players, IP soft phones, email, instant messaging, Web 2.0 browsing, safe shopping and more." It sounds like one of the more promising new avenues in PCs I've heard of.

Via Mercury News.