Citrix - which has been promising this stuff for a while - has announced the general availability of Citrix Receiver, a free lightweight plug-in-like software client that it says makes accessing virtual desktops and applications as easy as turning on a TV.

It's supposed to let IT function as a service provider to its own employees.

Citrix compares it a satellite or cable TV receiver and says it will deliver high-def desktops and applications on-demand to any device anywhere - including a PC, a Mac, a thin client, a netbook or an iPhone from a Citrix Delivery Center such as XenApp or XenDesktop.

The widgetry requires one-time installation and otherwise works in background.

When installed it's supposed to be responsible for security, performance and user experience.

Citrix says apps will run on any and point that has a Receiver installed and vendors won't have to worry about supporting specific software clients for each user device and operating system.

Receiver functionality can include offline app usage, virtual desktop delivery, app acceleration, multimedia acceleration and voice communication. It requires Citrix Merchandising Server, a new virtual appliance, for management, updates, administration and migration from legacy Citrix implementations.

Receiver for any Windows-based device is available now; Receiver for the Mac, Windows Mobile and Symbian are due in the second half.