Nextbit — the startup who describes themselves as "a bunch of folks from places like Google, Apple, Amazon, and Dropbox" have just announced their upcoming product at the CodeMobile conference. Labeled as Baton, it looks to be a deeply embedded method of sharing application data across multiple devices, in real time.
Their examples list features such as:
- Sync: Keeps apps and data in sync across multiple devices, allowing users to move fluidly from one device to the next without missing a beat.
- Pass: Send any open app in its current state to another device, saving time and eliminating the tedious process of manually finding and opening apps on different devices.
- Backup and restore: Save apps and data to your Nextbit profile in the cloud, so you can always get your apps back on any device.
The service will launch — in beta — on CyanogenMod soon. The planned public release is also said to be a CyanogenMod only affair, as it requires "open" Android to make things work the way they want them to work.
The idea is interesting, for sure. We're waiting to have a look and see all of the hows and whys when the beta is released.
Reader comments
Nextbit Baton is real-time app data sharing, beta coming to CyanogenMod
Looks really cool. I don't switch between devices much, though, so I'm not sure I would personally get much use out if this.
Sounds awesome
Pretty cool! Sounds like a handy thing to have
So oneplus one will get this?
Posted via Android Central App on 1+1
Sounds like something that would be beneficial to people who emulate Android devices to play games...
This is how Play Games SHOULD work... Needing root to transfer app data makes gaming and investment in non cloud apps worthless on Android. Shame Google themselves can't work this into the OS and still keep things tidy & secure.
Posted via Android Central App
Does Google not go the Apple route and implement 3rd party ideas while making sure the people who coded and developed the idea originally are kept quiet?
Posted from my TARDIS!
Okay. So we finally get Titanium Backup for non rooted devices. True backups transfered as long as you have the same app already installed on the other devices.
Posted via my "G3 Modded" Sprint LG G2 with permanent SIM Unlock on T-Mobile $30 2nd line family plan.
Hot dog! What a great concept, I wish Google was baking it in to android directly rather than needing to give out data to a 3rd party to make the magic happen.
Posted via Android Central App
I've been waiting for this for years. This is the main reason I root my phone and then use backup app with dropbox to sync the app data I want synced. It's a huge pain in the ass. If these guys can do it then Google most certainly can.
Posted via Android Central App
I was just thinking about this today!!! I really think by now we should just have our apps and passwords all synced and ready to go on all devices. New or co-existing
Posted via the Android Central App
This will be invaluable to the Rom Flashers and Device Testers and Reviewers like our Editors here on AC.
I believe this is something in line with the Backup and restore feature available in Lollipop, but more featureful since it syncs open and in progress states across devices too.