BitTorrent preps P2P sync service for personal files
updated 09:57 am EST, Fri January 25, 2013
Files synced between devices
BitTorrent has announced plans to offer a new service that utilizes peer-to-peer technology to synchronize personal files between multiple devices. The project, which is still in its pre-Alpha testing stage, aims to directly synchronize content without relying on cloud caching, accordingto details posted by GigaOM.
A screenshot of the SyncApp utility demonstrates how multiple video files could be simultaneously uploaded and downloaded between devices. An app icon shows a computer and a mobile phone, though the company has only detailed plans to offer native apps for Mac, Windows and Linux.
The service takes a different approach than existing alternatives, such as DropBox, which rely on remote servers to store content in the cloud. As such, the traditional monetization strategy centers around a fee structure for upgraded storage capacities.
The SyncApp project is listed alongside several other "experiments" on BitTorrent's new Labs site. Other ideas under development include a live broadcast service for web streams, and a Surf utility for torrent discovery within Chrome.
