One of the most important cases for desktop applications is when the software must interface with local hardware. This is especially so when that hardware requi

One of the most important cases for desktop applications is when the software must interface with local hardware. This is especially so when that hardware requires large amounts of data throughput, short latencies, and or enhanced security. For reasons including safety, efficiency, and simplicity, not all hardware devices are equipped to communicate over the Internet. Furthermore, when interfacing with local hardware such as robotics interfaces, why in the world would I want the software to run in the cloud rather than locally? Sure, there are a couple of special cases for this, such as when the fruits of the system are to be publicly or remotely accessible (a public webcam, for example), but there are plenty of cases where local access is much more appropriate. A particularly noteworthy example is automated manufacturing. In this case, it would be nearly absurd to run the control software in the cloud rather than locally. Would you really want an Internet hiccup to cost you a whole batch of units? What about the software that controls a self-driving car? Would you want to ride in that car when the software is running in the cloud rather than locally?