Emergency backup device on a friend: a patent application by Apple

In the absence of the data connection would be possible to make a backup extemporaneous device of a friend through p2p connection. It is not known, if Apple intends to actually implement this idea.

Apple has devised a way to use another (or others) iPhone as a backup system and safe emergency: the patent application, which came to light in recent days but filed by Apple in February last year, suggests that if it is not you can have a data connection. User information may be temporarily transferred to one or more devices even of friends, with a peer-to-peer.

The ability to back up without a data connection would be useful for users who regularly perform the bakcup on iCloud. The primary device would search for other devices ” friends ” known around on various communication protocols such as WiFi and Bluetooth. The device can then request to make a bakcup, possibly by means of an option with AirDrop, with the device of the receiver will show a notification asking you to accept or deny incoming file, with the ability to accept automatically backup devices already identified.

The system also provides the ability to encrypt the data before transferring, so that they are protected from prying eyes. It would also be possible to apply a ” date ” to the transferred information, which would thus be deleted from the device if the friend were not retrieved within the specified time. It also provides for the possibility of eliminating the information even remotely.

Data recovery would instead have conducted via WiFi, where requested by the original. The device could also be a configured friend to inform the existence of iCloud backup and, in some cases, upload it to the cloud so that it can be retrieved at a later time.

Since this is a software solution, you may be implemented in devices already in circulation, and in future, although at present it is not possible to know and Apple will decide never to realize this concept in the future.