BitTorrent, the file sharing service based out of San Francisco California, has released the beta version of its new Sync capabilities, which will allow users to share files across multiple devices.
Sync is a bit of software that will share files faster than cloud-based file synchronization programs like Dropbox and SugarSync because it does not require the use of the cloud. Instead it is able to share files directly form device to device. According to The L.A. Times the files are encrypted to teter them from being monitored or intercepted.
This is likely to go over poorly with recording artists and Hollywood executives as BitTorrent has become popularized as the go-to program of choice for many online music and movie piracy enthusiasts. The program allows them to download the files and then share them across the web with users for free. However, because it is only the means to an end, just because the technology exists doesn't mean it's the company's job to police its use in full. As a result it has been able to exist as the tool of choice for pirates for quite some time.
Sync differs from DropBox in that it does not save files as a back-up. Instead it allows files to be sent from device to device with no limits on file size, fees for use or breaks on transfer speeds. The only limiting factor in one's ability to send files is simply the bandwidth available to send a file from one device to a receiving device.
So far the beta version of the Sync system is only available to synchonize files or Android users. However, support for Apple's iOS 7 is likely to be in the works soon. The company's alpha version, which was released in April, has since shared more than 8 petabytes of data.
