BitTorrent's Sync, a Dropbox Competitor, Hits 1 Million Users

[Matsuda]

BitTorrent today announced the release of the BitTorrent Sync Beta API as well as version 1.2 of the client, which improves transfer speed and adds support for a native iPad version. At the same time, the company revealed two new milestones for its file synchronization tool: over 1 million monthly active users have synced over 30 petabytes of data to date.

The BitTorrent Sync API will allow for integration with, and development on top of Sync across all platforms the tool is available on: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. BitTorrent says it wants to enable developers to build an alternative way for the Internet to work – “one that does not rely on centralized servers.” This is of course a stretch, but the idea is to help build applications that are increasingly private and decentralized.

BitTorrent isn’t just unleashing the API and telling developers to go forth on their own. The company says it will work directly with developers on apps, with some projects receiving support from its Acceleration Program.

The company already has some ideas for social media, communication, and enterprise apps. In other words, services that aren’t reliant on cloud backup, storage, or exposed to data collection, such as:

• Free speech applications: products that combat censorship, and support the free distribution of ideas and information.
• Secure storage applications: products that enable user privacy, and prevent dragnet data collection.
• Workflow applications: products that streamline, simplify, and automate workflow between remote teams, and across video, photography, design, and animation projects.
• Deployment applications: products that distribute updates and templates.
  

Developers can choose to sync selected files or entire folders and use a mode without a user interface. The API currently includes 17 calls: Get folder, Add folder, Remove folder, Get files, Set file preferences, Get folder peers, Get secrets, Get folder preferences, Set folder preferences, Get folder hosts, Set folder hosts, Get preferences, Set preferences, Get OS name, Get version, Get speed, and Shutdown.

BitTorrent also notes that Sync version 1.2 is faster than previous versions. The company claims it has measured up to 90MB/sec speeds over LAN on low-end CPU devices.

As for the new iOS app, here’s the changelog:

• A native iPad app.
• Design changes and iOS7 compatibility.
• Ability to send and sync files in other apps via Sync.
• Save pictures and video from Sync folders to Camera Roll.
• Improved connection speed.
  

Back in April, BitTorrent launched its open alpha, after a select 20,000 users managed to sync over 200TB worth of files. When the public beta arrived in July, users had synced 8 petabytes of data using the tool.

We put that into perspective at the time by saying the Internet Archive houses 10 petabytes of data. BitTorrent Sync has now been used to share three times that figure.

BitTorrent has been questioned on how it keeps track of this data, given that Sync is meant for sharing between users, and not via the company’s servers. As a result, here’s what you need to know:

"The client reports back anonymous usage statistics in the same way our other clients do. BitTorrent Sync uses this call to check if there is new build available. It also contains some anonymous statistics so we can understand how Sync performs and how it is being used. Your data can not be monitored by us or anyone else unless you share the “Secret.”

As we say every time we write about Sync: whenever you’re sharing something on the Internet, remember that it is never completely private.

That being said, ever since BitTorrent first announced its Sync software back in January, explaining it uses peer-to-peer technology to synchronize personal files across multiple computers and devices, we’ve been watching it grow very quickly, and for good reason.

Because Sync is based on the BitTorrent protocol, meaning there are no third-party servers involved when syncing your files: everything is stored only on your trusted devices, controlled and managed solely by you. You can regularly change your secrets (the keys that allow you to share and access folders), sync an unlimited number of files of any size between devices, and transfer everything encrypted at the maximum speed supported by your network without being limited by a cloud service.

View: Original Article

Edited November 5, 2013 by Matsuda

[rach]

BitTorrent Inc. launched the new BitTorrent Sync file synchronization application based on BitTorrent technology back in January. We managed to gain access to a private alpha version of the application and published our first review in February of the same year.

Public alpha versions for desktop PCs and Android were released a couple of months later, with the PC version reaching beta status back in July 2013.

Today the company announced that it has updated BitTorrent Sync to version 1.2. While still in Beta, the new version ships with several improvements over the previous version.

Users of the application benefit from improved sync performance while syncing files on local area networks. Sync speeds doubled to nearly 90 MB/s on networks according to the company, and while that will certainly vary depending on how the network is set up, it is definitely a step in the right direction to increase the appeal of the application to a larger audience.

BitTorrent Sync 1.2

According to the company, more than 1 million active users use BitTorrent Sync each month. Since the release of the beta in July, more than 30 petabyte of data have been synchronized using the application.

Is that a lot? 30 Petabyte are 30,000 Terabyte or 30,000,000 Gigabyte which sounds like a lot. If you divide it by the number of active users, you get a total transfer rate of 30 Gigabyte per user over the course of the beta.

Probably the most exciting news is the integration of an API that developers can make use of to distribute data on the platform.

Today, we’re releasing the BitTorrent Sync Beta API. The new API will allow developers to create distributed social media, communications, and enterprise apps on top of the platform. It’s designed to work across major operating systems; including Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Some of the possibilities that the API introduces are options to store encrypted file copies on a remote server so that users can create their own private and secure cloud, options to integrate Sync into a different user interface, or support for selective synchronization.
The API just like the main program is available as a beta version right now. Interested developers can check it out here on the BitTorrent Sync website.

One of the appeals of BitTorrent Sync is that it does not require a central cloud-based server to synchronize files. While that means that the computer systems need to be connected to the same network or reachable on the Internet, it adds extra protection to the process as data is not stored on third party servers.

Then again, the service is closed source which will surely keep privacy conscious users away as many prefer Open Source solutions that they can vet before use.

It is clear that BitTorrent Sync is not made for all synchronization needs, at least not in its current state. It has its appeal to users who want to sync data without having to go through a central server but is not really an option right now for users who want data to be available in the cloud at all times as well.

Development is progressing in a steady pace though, and it is likely that other missing features such as file versioning will make an appearance in future versions of the application. It does not necessarily have to be as part of the official client though, as third party developers can now make use of the API to create their own programs and services around this.

:view: View: Original Article

Edited November 6, 2013 by 7h3Pr3d47oR
Spoiler.

[Mr Orus]

Threads merged.