coming soon: Google Apps appliances?

Mark got me thinking about this yesterday. We were talking about the potential for Google Apps to provide some real competition to Microsoft. He was of the opinion that unless Google can address the security and ownership concerns, their "Apps" won't have much traction. I'm sure he's right about that, but I think that if Google is smart we'll soon see Google Apps appliances for sale by Google so that businesses can use Google Apps in an environment they control.

Following the announcements that the DOT is halting Microsoft upgrades, and the FAA is thinking about a move to Google Apps and maybe even Linux desktops, a Google Apps Appliance is almost a no-brainer.

Government agencies and really most businesses as well can't or won't use hosted services due to security concerns. If Google's smart and doesn't build in any phone-home stuff like Microsoft does, a Google Apps Appliance is exactly the product businesses need to get off the Microsoft bandwagon.

And if they do? I'm hoping there's a non-profit version :)