OnLive trick runs Windows 7 applications on iPad

Cloud gaming firm OnLive is further diversifying its business with a new application that can run various Windows 7 services on Apple’s iPad.

OnLive Desktop is due for release this Thursday on Apple’s App Store, OnLive said. The program will be free, though it is not known if Apple has approved the application yet. A pro edition, with 50 GB of cloud storage as well as various improvements, will cost users $9.99 each month.

Users will be given access to Windows 7 applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint – plus about 2GB of cloud storage, OnLive said.

It is not known why OnLive has decided to broaden its business strategy while its cloud gaming model arguably still needs to be commercially validated.

“OnLive Desktop is the first app to deliver a no-compromise, media-rich Windows desktop experience to iPad, opening up powerful new possibilities for consumers and businesses," said OnLive CEO Steve Perlman.