Apple's 'Safe Deposit Box' could offer file security with cloud backup
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently revealed Apple's application entitled "File Management Safe Deposit Box." In the company's proposed invention, the deposit box would be reside on a user's computer, and would verify their identity before the contents can be accessed.
Apple's application notes that users typically have files of varying importance and secrecy on their computers. In addition, users often want to have additional copies of important files to ensure they will not be lost if their computer is stolen or damaged.
"While various backup programs and encryption software suites are available to users, these are often cumbersome and time consuming for a user to set up," the application reads.
The proposed solution would be a "Safe Deposit Box" built into Mac OS X, allowing users to simply drag and drop a file onto the deposit box icon. Doing so would securely store and save the file. Users could also allow access to files for a short period of time, minimizing the risk of an unauthorized user gaining access.
The feature would go one step further, and automatically generate a copy of the file and save it to the cloud, preventing the risk of file loss. In addition to being automatically generated, these copies of files would also be secured, preventing access from unauthorized users.
Apple's explanation of the feature describes an interface that would mimic a physical safe deposit box at a bank, a personal safe, or some other way that users secure important belongings in real life.
The patent application recently made public by the USPTO was first filed by Apple in August of 2009. The proposed invention is credited to Duncan Robert Kerr and David R. Falkenburg.
43 Comments
Doesn't this already exist? It's called DropBox, and is pretty sweet.
I already do this with Dropbox. I created symlinks from all my home folders (Documents, Pictures, Music, Desktop, etc.) into my Dropbox and it keeps all my computers in sync, allows me to access my files from my iPhone, and from anyone else's computer via the web. I've recovered from hard drive failures with no sweat.
The only files I do not keep on there are replaceable (e.g. programs and movies)
Doesn't this already exist? It's called DropBox, and is pretty sweet.
I do see your point but there is a lot of things already exist in some fashion but that doesn?t mean Apple can?t improve upon it which this patent seemingly indicates. There are usage issues with Dropbox that do make it confusing for the average person. Things that Dropbox is probably aware of but can?t circumvent without completely rewriting Mac OS X Finder and Windows Explorer to suit their specific needs.
That said, I am surprised this is the 2nd article I?ve read on this patent that seems to go out of its way to not draw a comparison to Dropbox, which is far and away the most Mac-like experience in moving files between machines.
Note that Apple has been using the same basic foundation Dropbox is designed off of for years with their Time Machine/Time Capsule sparse bundles which allow for the same kind of banded data file syncing that makes Dropbox so great.
seemless--integrated--ecosystem
its got to work for my mom, i can geek it out but the average person doesn't even backup
i talked to a friend about the power of having a bootable clone backup (which has just rescued my wifes mb c2d white) and he just stares at me
there is a lot of room for all those newbies to apple, the average joe, joanne, doens't get it
but if the interface is slick smooth, seemless, and brainless like importing cd's to itunes and synching well it will work
describe your use of dropbox to the avg apple user and what do you get??
there is a better way
and by the way, do ssd like in the air "fail" or ever need replaceing??
my new hitachi i put in 3 months ago in my wife's mb crashed and thinking of upgrading her mb this summer with mba
your thoughts
"Secure Remote" is an oxymoron. As soon as your most valuable data is on a remote server, people unknown to you (administrators, government) have access to it.