Abstract:
Technology is disclosed for backing up and retrieving data in a distributed backup system ("the technology"). Files of a user can be stored across multiple computing devices ("the devices") of the user, e.g., mobile devices, and/or at a server, e.g., a cloud storage server, in the distributed backup system. The user can define various policies for storing different files at different devices. For example, the user may define a policy for storing video files on a device that has a bigger display. The devices can be used as an edge cache of the distributed backup system in serving files to the user. Upon receiving a request for retrieving a file, the technology determines if any of the user devices that are in proximity to the requesting device has the file. If yes, the file is transmitted to the user from the proximate device instead of from the server.
Abstract:
Technology is disclosed for sharing an authentication profile of a user between a group of user devices for accessing an access restricted computing environment ("the technology"). The access restricted computing environment can require the user to input authentication information, such as a username, password, or answers to challenge questions, to authenticate the user. For example, to access a wireless network on a first user device, a user may have to input a password for the wireless network. To access the same wireless network on a second user device, the user may have to input the password again on the second user device. The technology facilitates the user to obtain the authentication information required to access the wireless network from another user device, e.g., a device from which the user has accessed the wireless network previously. This can eliminate the need for the user to manually input the authentication information repeatedly.
Abstract:
Technology disclosed herein includes a method for system restoration between computing devices by a tapping mechanism. A first device detects (e.g., via NFC) a second device in proximity. The first device transmits a user credential of the first device to the second device. Either directly or via a cloud storage service, the first device instructs the second device to download a copy of system data of the first device from the cloud storage service, instead of from the first device. The second device is able to restore a system state of the first device on the second device, using the user credential and the system data.
Abstract:
Technology is disclosed for enabling multiple computing devices used by a user to interoperate with one another. The technology enables the user to install a given application on a decentralized operating system ("DCOS") managing the multiple computing devices as a single entity. The user can then use the given application through any of the computing devices when executing the given application through the DCOS.