The previous generation used to synchronise their mobile devices to their desktop, which used a special kind of software that came in with their device. And, the type of data they could sync was limited to, just the contact information. Still, this was a big deal to them. Now, as technology evolved, we can sync from contacts to media files, apps and you name it! Not only this, but you also get updates and patches from the device manufacturer.
Possibilities of synchronisation
With the fastest speed of the Wi-Fi technologies, you can drop the whole desktop-mobile syncing, and sync huge chunks of data using the cloud. Each of these phone vendors has its own cloud system that can be used to sync your user account and data across your devices. Apple has their iCloud, Microsoft has OneDrive, Google has their Google Drive, and there are more and more growing and they’re reaping the benefit of the era of cloud computing.
Examples of synchronisation
There are also independent cloud developers who provide only cloud services that you can use to sync your data and share it with others, of course only if you allow it. One of the prime examples is DropBox. Yet, that is not it and by 2022, there are tons of other cloud service providers out there. One of the typical steps of getting a cloud service is to set up an account with security instructions. Like your username, and password for authentication and authorization. There is a cloud provider that offers you to encrypt the whole data stored in the cloud.
Synchronisation with computers
You can synchronise your data to your computer or local machines. That comes with its own trade-offs. One of the biggest advantages of syncing your data to your personal computer is, that you are in full control of however you want to store and manage your data. You can also back them up in a portable drive if you need. The disadvantage is that then you will need to have physical access to that computer to get access to your data. You either need to carry around that portable hard drive or need to carry the whole hard disk or desktop if that makes sense.
Common synchronisation problems
Synchronising to the cloud does not come in without any disadvantages and is certainly not one-solution fits all kind of scenario. If you have a good Wi-Fi or cellular signal, syncing to the cloud would be the best. One thing you need to be careful about is, whether you want to sync over secure public Wi-Fi or not at all, make the transfer of any of your data over unsecured public Wi-Fi. If you do exchange data over an unsecured public network, anyone can intercept and read your data.
Another disadvantage is that your data is in the cloud and you no longer have full control over them. You are absolutely under the security system implemented and privacy policy provided by your cloud provider. You need to get along with the kind of security mechanism they use like the encryption strength and their privacy policies. Which could allow them to turn your data over to other businesses for marketing purposes or in some cases, law enforcement.
One problem is, that you have limitation of the amount of data you are allowed to store. This typically come in with the plans you pick in the beginning. If you sign up for an unlimited storage plan, you will get such. Another is the kind of data you can store to prevent software, music, and movie piracy.
These are the things when you need to do some careful considerations and calculations before you jump in and start syncing every bit of your data.