Silk also uses EC2 to maintain a persistent connection to the top sites on the web.

ENGADGET: Amazon Silk browser spins a faster mobile web, courtesy of cloud servers (video)

The server also includes Microsoft Message Queuing to support asynchronous delivery of data to devices without a persistent connection.

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However, DirecPC tries to deliver the next best thing to a persistent connection by offering a service called an Electronic Program Guide.

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Silk keeps a persistent connection open to EC2 so that there is always a connection at the ready to start loading the next page.

ENGADGET: Amazon Silk browser spins a faster mobile web, courtesy of cloud servers (video)

Although RIM and AOL want to make their deal privately, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates will openly discuss one of the wireless industry's worst-kept secret projects, a Tablet PC that will also feature a persistent wireless connection to home and office networks.

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But critics of the bill - including several leading internet service providers (ISPs) - say it can be difficult to identify persistent file-sharers, particularly those that share a web connection or use a public access point.

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