MATLAB Mobile 2.0: cloud computing

MATLAB Mobile is a way to use MATLAB from an iOS device. It’s cute, but a bit odd, because you used to need to have MATLAB running on your own server in order to take advantage of it. With the newly released version 2.0, you now have the option of connecting to one of MathWorks’ servers, though you’ll still need a current MATLAB license.

The command line looks familiar, and figure display works fine, but figure interaction and GUIs are not supported. They’re working on a way to upload your own files to the cloud server, but that’s not implemented just yet. Still, it’s an interesting tool.

I already use MATLAB via Remote Desktop about 99% of the time that I’m doing analysis. The interaction is not as snappy as sitting right at the computer, but it’s an acceptable price to pay to be able to use the same hardware wherever I am. I’m curious to know whether MathWorks might extend this service in the future. I might pay to have access to their servers if they’re well maintained and can crunch data faster than I can on my own computers.

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