Bittorrent launches Mega, Dropbox competitor

By Dave Neal

FILESHARING WEBSITE Bittorrent is kicking open the doors to its secure digital locker service, called Sync.

Sync comes out of Bittorrent's labs and has a simple promise, that being to "Automatically sync files between computers via secure, distributed technology".

It is a pre-Alpha release now, which means it is in its early days, but it comes hot on the heels of Mega, the similar storage service just launched by Kim Dotcom.

Information is pretty light. A forum on the Bittorrent website discusses some of Sync's features in response to questions from potential users. There we read that it will be secure.

"Data will be stored only on your computers. Sync will make sure it is synchronized across your devices. Data in transmit are encrypted with AES 256," says one response.

If you are interested in trying it out you will have to fill out an application form that you can find at Bittorrent.

A blog post at the website suggests that this is a very early peek at a service that will gradually be honed from feedback by its users.

"We like it when things work together. So we've been working on a new distributed syncing product to help manage personal files between multiple computers," it says.

"Today, Bittorrent Sync is in a pre-Alpha stage. And we're hoping that users like you can help us build something sick. If you're comfortable using early, incomplete software, and if you're committed to helping us figure out a better way to sync, we want to hear from you." µ/The Inquirer