Although the fledgling platform has some speed and stability problems, and its application programming interface (the means by which other bits of software plug into it) is not yet complete, collaboration experts are excited.

ECONOMIST: Monitor

Software developers will add new capabilities to cards by programming the payment network to link online applications to specific payment events.

FORBES: The Credit Card Is The New App Platform

By renting out cloud-based computers by the hour, companies could run any OS, software or programming language on a powerful virtual machine.

FORBES: The Battle For The Cloud Is On -- Who Will Win?

By 2016, competition among the PaaS vendors will produce new programming models, new standards and new software market leaders.

FORBES: HP Unveils Cloud Application Platform Powered by ActiveState