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Remote access service provider LogMeIn announced the opening of the beta version of Cubby, a cloud data service to securely share information across PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, Android devices or with other people. The first service built on LogMeIn’s own cloud data sync and storage platform, Cubby lets people turn any number of PC or Mac folders into “cubbies” that can be accessed from other devices, stored in the cloud, and shared with colleagues and friends.
Cubby also gives users the option to share or sync an unlimited amount of information across their devices for free, and without ever counting against cloud storage limits. Users interested in participating in the Cubby beta, which includes 5GB of cloud storage, free unlimited syncing across devices, as well as apps for the iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows, can request an invitation at Cubby.com.
“When it comes to sharing data in the cloud today, most solutions on the market are ultra-simple but inflexible, or highly flexible but inherently complex. We see Cubby as an opportunity to deliver an ideal balance of simplicity and flexibility,” said Marton Anka, LogMeIn’s chief technology officer. “It is designed to adapt to the way people naturally interact with their informationto deliver the benefits of the cloud without forcing people to change their behavior.”
Any folder can be a cubby; users can simply use the folders they have, such as their existing PC or Mac folders, or they can use a default cubby. There’s no need to put files and documents into a single cloud folder/box, and no need to recreate existing folders. Content is shared across devices for free, cloud optional, or can share their files across their devices for free, without being restricted by cloud data storage limitations. Cubbies can be stored to the cloud or synced across devices.
In addition, any cubby and its content can be synced to selected devices, so users can keep their work, personal and family information separate. Cubbies and their content can be shared with others either by inviting them into a cubby, which lets both parties see, work with, and sync content, or they can send people read-only links to files and cubbies.
Built on the same architecture used for LogMeIn’s connectivity products, Cubby takes advantage of encryption standards to ensure data is protected at all times. As an additional step, Cubby is designed to give users the ability to be the sole owner and holder of their encryption keys.
Cubby is built on LogMeIn’s Gravity Data Services, the companys proprietary data synchronization and storage cloud. Architected to deliver secure, high-scale data sync and storage capabilities at incredibly low cost, the new Gravity Data Services has been designed to help bring new offerings, like Cubby, to market, as well as to introduce cloud data benefits into other offerings, services or applications. LogMeIn plans to use Gravity Data Services to expand its suite of cloud offerings, add a variety of cloud data capabilities to its existing family of access, customer care and remote IT management products, and create opportunities for third parties to build their own cloud offerings on LogMeIn’s platform.
“Anywhere, any time, any device access to information is quickly going from aspiration to expectation, and we’re only in the beginning of the post-PC era. We believe Gravity Data Services will play a key role in delivering the essential cloud services required in a time when virtually anything can be connected to the Internet,” said Michael Simon, LogMeIn’s CEO. “We see this as both a natural extension of our business today and key step toward dramatically expanding the types of services we offer to consumers and businesses in the future.”