Libox lets users share media across devices

The recently launched Libox service promises to make sharing videos, photos and music on different and incompatible portable electronic devices possible. The founder, Erez Pilosof, wanted a less "tedious and problematic" media sharing solution. Thus far, users of iPhones, iPads, Android smartphones and other devices can access a web app that runs in HTML, but Pilosof is working on native Apple and Android apps.

The basic service is free, and requires users to install Libox software on their desktop or main computer. All media files are then found and processed into new ones when loaded into the Libox folder. Libox does not take data onto its own servers but uses peer-to-peer sharing to distribute it. A song accessed from a smartphone when away from home will stream from the home-based desktop, for example.

Special code will try to predict what a user will want to access next to keep the process smooth and speedy. As an example, the five most popular songs can be saved on a user's smartphone for quicker access. Sharing shared photos relies on a similar algorithm that would prioritize transfer of newly shared photos if a friend accesses the folder often. HD video is supported, as are the major media formats, including some less common ones. Space limits are not imposed by the company.

The company plans on making money through revenue sharing deals with content providers and additional services that may include backup of files.

Potential roadblocks in the way of Libox' success may include possible legal challenges from entertainment companies as well as the demise of unlimited data plans that would have subscribers access less of their own content remotely and keep it local instead. [via TechnologyReview]

by MacNN Staff