Abstract: Technology is disclosed for using computing devices (“the devices”) of a user as an edge cache of a distributed backup system to stream video files. In the distributed backup system, the user can store different data files of the user at different devices of the user and/or at a server. For example, the user may store video files at one of the devices of the user (“a first device”) in addition to storing at the server. When the user requests to stream a particular video file to a particular device, the technology streams the video file to the particular device either from the server or from the first device. If the first device is in proximity to the particular device, the video file is streamed from the first device instead of from the server, thereby minimizing the latency involved in streaming the video file from the server.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a method of sharing application states across different user profiles. The method can include: receiving a request from a first computing device associated with a first user profile to load an application state of a target application, wherein the application state is owned by a second user profile; verifying permission for the first user profile to load the application state owned by the second user profile; configuring a sharing instance of the application state of the target application by accessing application data of the application state associated with the second user profile in a storage service; and sending the sharing instance to be loaded onto the first computing device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for signing computer applications is disclosed. The method includes generating a compiled version of a first software application, signing the first software application with a digital certificate locally to a developer of the first software application without assistance from a central certification authority, and submitting the signed first software application to an on-line application store.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for synchronizing audio files from a computing device of a user to an in-vehicle computing device, such as an audio system, installed in an automobile. In one example, when the user plays an audio file on the in-vehicle computing device from the computing device, the audio file is copied at the in-vehicle computing device. After copying the currently playing audio file, the in-vehicle computing device can also copy at least some of the audio files from the computing device. The in-vehicle computing device computes a popularity score of each of the audio files based on an access pattern of the audio files, and categorizes them into priority files and low-priority files based on their popularity score. While the in-vehicle computing device copies the priority files, it copies metafiles of the low-priority files. The metafiles can include information such as a title, artist, etc. of the audio files.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for downloading image files associated with a user to a computing device of the user from a distributed backup system. Each of the image files is associated with a popularity score that is determined as a function of a user-related access pattern and a group-related access pattern of the image files. While the user-related access pattern is determined based on an access of the image files by the user, the group-related access pattern is determined based on an access by a group of users. The image files are categorized into priority files and non-priority files based on the popularity score of the image files. The priority files are downloaded in an original format and the non-priority files are downloaded in one or more image qualities that minimize the consumption of computing resources in downloading the image files.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a method of resource balancing execution of an application involving multiple devices. The method can include: identifying an application executing on an operating system of a first computing device; identifying a resource type to facilitate the executing of the application; identifying multiple computing devices each having at least an available resource instance of the identified resource type, wherein the multiple computing devices are reachable by a communication protocol of the first computing device; and selecting a target computing device to offer up a target resource instance of the resource type to the application based at least partly on a comparable limitation of each available resource instance of the multiple computing devices.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a method of sharing application states across different user profiles. The method can include: receiving a request from a first computing device associated with a first user profile to load an application state of a game application, wherein the application state is owned by a second user profile; verifying permission for the first user profile to load the application state owned by the second user profile; configuring a sharing instance of the application state of the game application by accessing gameplay state data of the application state associated with the second user profile in a storage service; and sending the sharing instance to be loaded onto the first computing device.

Abstract: Various embodiments generally relate to decentralized operating systems spanning multiple devices. More specifically, some embodiments relate to continuous and concurrent device experiences across the multiple devices. For example, a user may be streaming a movie through a service provided via a smart television. When the user's phone detects an incoming video call, the television can recognize that a video call is coming in and ask the user if the user wants to answer the call. If the user responds in the affirmative, the television can pause the streaming video from the service provide allowing the user to answer their phone. In some cases, the television can be used as the display screen to display the video call while the local phone resources (e.g., video camera) can be used as the recording device.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for performing a priority synchronization of a computing device to download a selected set of data files to the computing device from a distributed backup system. Data files are downloaded to a computing device by synchronizing the computing device with a server of the distributed backup system. A priority sync downloads a subset of the data files (“priority files”) rather than all of the data files of the user, thereby minimizing the computing resources consumed to download the data files. The priority sync can select the priority files based on various criteria, including an access pattern of the data files, attributes of the data files, or attributes of the computing device. The priority sync can also download the data files not identified as priority files (“non-priority files”). While the priority files are downloaded in their original format, the non-priority files are downloaded in a downgraded format.

Abstract: Technology for a method for backing up and restoring game application state across multiple devices is disclosed herein. The method includes running an instance of a game application, by a distributed system, at a first electronic device, determining a backup event that occurs in the first electronic device, wherein the backup event suggests a backup of application state data and the application state data represent an application state of the game application at the backup event, and transmitting the application state data of the game application to a remote storage service, in response to the backup event. A second electronic device can retrieve the application state data from the remote storage service and restore the game application state.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus for backing up and restoring game application state across multiple devices are disclosed herein. The method includes running an instance of a game application at a first device. Based on any of various criteria, such as the proximity between the first device and a second device, a computer makes a determination to synchronize the application state between the two devices. The computer causes the application state data, which represents an application state of the game application running on the first device, to be saved and made available to the second device, such as by saving the application state data to cloud storage. The second device receives the application state data and restores the game application state.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for classification of data objects (e.g., files) in a distributed file system based on application creation and/or access information. In some embodiments, data objects of a user are stored across multiple computing devices associated with a user, e.g., mobile computing devices such as a tablet, a laptop, or a smartphone, and/or at server systems, e.g., cloud-based storage servers, in a distributed cloud-based storage system. The technology described tracks the applications that create or touch particular data objects in the distributed file system and classifies the data objects according to these applications resulting in various application classifications. For example, a classification engine can process data objects in the distributed file system to identify an application that created the data object and/or applications that have accessed the data object. The classification information can be saved by, for example, a cloud-based storage server.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of this disclosure includes a method of sharing application states across different user profiles. The method can include: receiving a request from a first computing device associated with a first user profile to load an application state of a target application, wherein the application state is owned by a second user profile; verifying permission for the first user profile to load the application state owned by the second user profile; configuring a sharing instance of the application state of the target application by accessing application data of the application state associated with the second user profile in a storage service; and sending the sharing instance to be loaded onto the first computing device.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus for backing up and restoring game application state across multiple devices are disclosed herein. The method includes running an instance of a game application at a first device. Based on any of various criteria, such as the proximity between the first device and a second device or a priority of synchronization, a computer makes a determination to synchronize the application state between the two devices. The computer causes the application state data, which represents an application state of the game application running on the first device, to be saved and made available to the second device, such as by saving the application state data to cloud storage. The second device receives the application state data and restores the game application state.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and machine-readable storage mediums for managing storage of a computing device associated with a user. In at least some embodiments, a method includes receiving a request to synchronize a data file from a cloud storage system from a the computing device, determining a classification of the computing device and an access pattern associated with the file, determining a storage optimization operation to be performed on the data file based on the access pattern and the classification, transmitting the file to the device subsequent to execution of the storage optimization operation, and transmitting an updated file based on an updated access pattern. The storage optimization operation can include downsampling, lossy compression, lossless compression, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for context sensitive synchronization of a distributed cloud-based file system across multiple devices and for providing seamless merging of conflicting data objects. In some embodiments, data objects of a user are stored across multiple computing devices associated with a user, e.g., mobile computing devices such as a tablet, a laptop, or a smartphone, and/or at server systems, e.g., cloud-based storage servers, in a distributed cloud-based storage system. The described technology intelligently synchronizes the data objects based on context and manages potential conflicts.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for sharing an authentication profile for accessing a Wi-Fi network between multiple devices. To access a particular Wi-Fi network on a first device and a second device, authentication information, e.g., a password for the Wi-Fi network, may have to be input on both the devices. In some embodiments, the technology facilitates obtaining an approval for accessing the Wi-Fi network on the second device from the first device. Upon receiving a request from a user of the second device to access the Wi-Fi network on the second device, the second device requests if any of the devices, e.g., devices in proximity, can approve the access request. A notification is displayed on the first device regarding the access request. The user associated with first device can then approve the access request, which causes authentication information for accessing the Wi-Fi network to be transmitted to the second device.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and machine-readable storage mediums for selectively performing storage optimization processes in a computing device. In at least some embodiments, a method includes monitoring access patterns in association with data of one or more files accessed by a user of the computing device, determining a classification of the computing device, and utilizing the user access patterns and the device classification in determining execution of a storage optimization process based on a storage optimization policy. The storage optimization policy can specify downsampling, lossy compression, lossless compression, or a combination thereof to be applied to the files based on thresholds associated with the user access patterns and/or the device classification. Utilization of the storage optimization policy can enable the computing device to have an infinite local storage capacity.

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 distributed 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.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for enabling multiple computing devices having a decentralized operating system to effectively monitor and manage resources across the multiple devices. In some embodiments, the systems are able to identify a set of local resources available for utilization by an application running on the decentralized operating system. A resource message identifying the set of local resources can be generated using a resource discovery and utilization application programming interface. This information can then be sent to a requestor (e.g., an application running on the decentralized operating system) which can create a resource utilization plan.