NetApp (NTAP), the fourth-largest player in the external disk storage market, creates innovative storage and data management solutions for small and medium-sized companies around the world. It competes mainly with other storage majors like EMC (EMC), IBM (IBM), HP (HPQ) and Dell (DELL).

Over the past few years, cloud-computing -- which uses the Net to deliver applications -- has grown at a rapid rate. Investors have certainly benefited.

And yes, it should be no surprise that the IPO markets are seeing more cloud deals. As for the latest filing, it came this week. Active Network plans to raise $150 million in its offering.

News is out about the new broadband ISP foray by Google (GOOG). So far, Google, for purposes of public relations, has labeled their new direction a "scientific test." Media analysts the world over are speculating about what exactly Google might be up to. Some people claim that telecommunications providers might be or should be worried about what Google could be positioning for. I think that attitude is a bit shortsighted.

Let me remind our readers, when speculating about Google, it is best to adjust our projections to a decades-ahead frame of mind. What exactly could Google accomplish with broadband capability up to 100 times faster than any Internet data feed currently available to consumers? Please consider the following possibilities:

Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) is putting a berry smeared smile on the faces of third party manufacturers by finally presenting an application suite that will allow select devices currently supported by Windows Mobile 6 to present a "virtual" BlackBerry experience. Mike Lazaridis, President and CEO at Research In Motion stated, "Extending BlackBerry applications to a broader range of devices is an important element of RIM's strategy to provide an open platform that supports industry standards and addresses the various needs of our customers." Personally, I think RIM is rightly in the business of creating industry standards in addition to supporting existing ones.

Once the BlackBerry application has been downloaded into the devices that currently run Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) Windows Mobil 6, an icon will appear [subscription required]. Once selected, the familiar BlackBerry Smartphone interface will appear without disturbing the existing Windows Mobil applications.

The press release announcing this expansion of BlackBerry availability makes clear that RIM's association with AT&T is a major part of their marketing strength. Michael Woodward, Executive Director, Mobile Professional Solutions, for AT&T (NYSE: T) applauds this move by RIM calling it, "another positive catalyst that will further expand the appeal of the BlackBerry platform with customers. "