BittorrentSync
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BitTorrent Sync adds ability to make encrypted folders
BitTorrent has released a new version of its Sync peer-to-peer app, and its biggest feature is the encrypted folder. Any data you keep in one will be encrypted, whether you choose to place it on cloud storage or on a networked storage device (NAS). Plus, your files are always encrypted while they're being transferred.
Bittorrent Sync Pro lets employees share folders from their PCs
Bittorrent's done beta testing its cloud-alternative Sync tool, so it's now releasing not just the stable version, but also a Pro one for businesses. Sync 2.0 still lets you share folders saved on your computer using web links, but it also comes with an assortment of new features. These include the ability to link all your devices (PCs, phones and tablets) using a single private account, the power to share folders from any of those linked devices, and being able to grant a person access to your folders just once (he can access them instantly later on), among many other improvements.
BitTorrent Sync gives you the flexibility to sync anything
Several months ago I started replacing Dropbox with BitTorrent Sync ("BTS" for short) for my file-syncing needs, and I couldn't be happier with the results. One study showed BTS was up to 16 times faster than syncing to the cloud. Let me walk you through some of the features and some of the reason why I've grown to prefer it. OS X comes with some standard folders which I had not been able to use since I started using Dropbox; for example, my ~/Documents/ folder went unused because I had to use ~/Dropbox/Documents/, and I couldn't use ~/Pictures/ because if I wanted to sync them they needed to go into ~/Dropbox/Photos/. Now I can sync whichever folders I want, wherever I want, and call them whatever I want. Granted, Dropbox does have a few advantages over BTS, which means that I won't be getting rid of Dropbox entirely. Advantage number one is that files synced to Dropbox are always available, whereas BTS files are only available if at least one computer is on and connected to the Internet. Number two is that there are a great many iOS apps (and some Mac apps) which are designed to sync with Dropbox. Don't worry though, you can use them both together, which is especially useful if you have an "always on" Mac. The BitTorrent protocol is incredibly efficient, which means things like LAN sync between different computers are very fast. Having my ~/Downloads/ folder sync'd makes it easier to update non-Mac App Store apps across my computers. As soon as something is downloaded on one Mac, it is available on others. Now if I store a file on my Desktop, it will be copied to all my Mac's Desktop folders. Keep it one place, it is kept everywhere, or delete it somewhere and it is deleted everywhere. Something like this is exactly what I've been wanting for a long time now. Folders can be anywhere, but some of them aren't suitable for syncing. One example is ~/Library/Safari/Extensions/ which will sync, but Safari will not recognize extensions added directly to that folder, presumably as a security precaution against malware adding extensions without explicit user intervention. Resist the urge to try to sync your ~/Library/Preferences/ or ~/Library/Applications Support/ folders either; it won't end well. As for integration with iOS and Mac apps, I will keep a free Dropbox account to sync those apps which can use it, and I will run Dropbox on one "always on" Mac, but then I will also sync those folders to my other Macs using BTS instead of Dropbox. Like Dropbox, BTS can be paused temporarily if needed (I wish it was possible to pause syncing on a per-folder basis, but alas). Linking computers can be done from the "Share" menu inside the app, and can be shared with others via URL, QR code, or copying the keys. The shared folders can be read/write or read-only, the URLs created for sharing them can be set to expire after a certain number of uses or a certain number of days. Having the code means that you can disconnect and reconnect a synced folder anytime by copying the code, saving it in a safe place, and then reconnecting it later. Even though a selective, per-folder sync would be more convenient, this is a decent work-around for now. Finally, BTS has given me a more flexible sync option than Dropbox, which syncs faster and has no limits except for available hard drive space. If you have wanted to move away from Dropbox, or if you have files that you want to sync and keep completely private, BTS is a great option. Start with one folder (Downloads or Desktop are good options) and see if it helps. Help for getting starting is available at the BitTorrent Sync forums.
BitTorrent Sync lets you share folders on your PC using web links
Yes, cloud services like Dropbox make it easy to share folders through public directories and links, but you still have to put those folders in the cloud in the first place. Wouldn't you rather share them straight from your PC? BitTorrent hopes to make things that direct with its big Sync 1.4 update. Now, you can share folders with others just by giving them web links; you don't have to wait for the files to reach a remote server, or rely on Sync's slightly more obtuse Key system. You don't have to sign up for an account, either, and you can still limit access to prevent others from messing with precious documents. About the only headache is that your recipient needs Sync, although BitTorrent promises that it will walk first-timers through the process.
Daily Update for November 5, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
BitTorrent Sync beta 1.2 adds native iPad support, more
Since its release this past August, BitTorrent Sync has been picking up a heap of users, recently passing the 1 million mark. Today, BitTorrent has announced the beta for Sync 1.2, bringing expanded performance and capabilities to iOS devices. Version 1.2 comes with a major speed increase for users whose internet connection will support it, with the app being clocked at 90 MB/s over LAN. In addition, the app's design has been updated for increased connection speed and compatibility with iOS 7. iPad fans are also finally getting their own native app. iOS devices that use Sync will find a new iOS feature set in the app that allows users to send and sync files while in other apps using Sync, as well as allowing media to be saved from your Sync folders to your camera roll. You can find the download right now in the App Store.
BitTorrent Sync launches API for building decentralized apps, comes to iPad
BitTorrent Sync, the cross-platform tool for sharing files without cloud interference, hasn't managed to shake its beta tag yet, but that isn't slowing anything down. In addition to announcing the service now has more than a million active users monthly, and it's passed over 30 petabytes of data between devices, today sees an update for users and something for developers, too. The general release of version 1.2 is said to improve transfer speeds to up to around 90MB per second. A new native iPad app is out today, and the current iOS version has seen design tweaks and compatibility improvements for iOS 7. Sending and syncing data in other apps using BitTorrent Sync is now possible, and pics and video from your synced folders can be added to a device's camera roll. BitTorrent Sync is also discharging its API to any and all developers today. Just like the service itself, the API doesn't favor any platform, and will allow devs to tinker on all the main computer operating systems, as well as Android and iOS. While it means file-sharing support can be easily shoehorned into other things, the Sync team also imagines entirely new services build off the back of the underlying platform, making use of encrypted data transmission that doesn't rely on any centralized server.
BitTorrent Sync lands on iOS, allows you to securely sync files between devices
Moving big files from one device to another is no easy task, especially when mobile devices are involved. BitTorrent aims to make the process of sharing large files a bit easier by bringing BitTorrent Sync to the iPhone and iPad. BitTorrent Sync uses a peer-to-peer protocol to sync your files. Rather than using a cloud server as an intermediary storage space, BitTorrent Sync sends your files chunk by chunk from one device to another. It works over a mobile connection as well as within your own internal LAN. The service also encrypts your files with an AES cypher and a 256-bit key that's unique to each and every folder you sync. Best of all, BitTorrent Sync doesn't cap your usage or surprise you with hidden fees. You can download the BitTorrent Sync app from the iOS App Store for free.
BitTorrent Sync coming to iOS this week (update: available now!)
BitTorrent promised that its Sync Beta service would get an iOS client, and the company is making good on its word with plans to launch the app this week. As with the Android release, iOS users will get to sync files of any size, send content to other mobile devices and back up photos. And if you're not carrying an Apple device, BitTorrent still has a small treat in store: it's rolling out a localization update that supports 10 major Asian and European languages. Whatever your platform of choice, you'll find more details at the source link. Update: And it's live. The download resides at second source link!
BitTorrent Sync Beta launches with Android app, file versioning
BitTorrent Sync Alpha isn't ready to equal rivals like Dropbox or Google Drive without a mobile component. It's a good thing that BitTorrent just launched Sync Beta, then -- the more polished release includes an Android app that syncs with computers and shares files with fellow Android users. The update also brings versioning through SyncArchive, which stores previous file iterations in a folder. Sync Beta is available on both Android and the desktop today, and BitTorrent promises that an iOS equivalent is coming in the near future.
BitTorrent Sync Alpha now open to all, adds one-way sync and one-time sharing
While BitTorrent threw its hat into the cloud storage ring this January with an early version of its Sync app, it was hard to be truly excited when only a small circle could use it. The company isn't waiting for a completely polished version to renew our interest, however -- it's making BitTorrent Sync Alpha available to the general public, starting today. The newly accessible build brings the same unlimited Linux, Mac and Windows file syncing as before, although it adds a handful of tools to limit just who can see what. Those worried about security can now sync read-only files or offer one-time Secrets (file sharing keys) to friends that expire after a day if they're unused; it's also possible to exclude specific files or folders in larger transfers. Sync remains in a rough state, as the Alpha badge suggests, but those willing to live with the quirks no longer have to wait on the sidelines or consider alternatives.
