Syncables: A Framework to Support Seamless Data Migration Across Multiple Platforms

There is inadequate support for seamless task migration when users use multiple devices to perform a single task. In this paper we present the Syncables framework, a software framework designed to alleviate the problem associated with task migration. The Syncables framework can be used to migrate task data and state information across platforms. In the paper we describe the goals, design and an implementation of Syncables. We highlight features, such as a consistent naming scheme, ability for applications to define their own arbitrary Syncable types and use of transcoders and filters. Syncables will help us develop 'continuous user interfaces' that automatically bridge task disconnects.