TouchSync: Lightweight Synchronization for Ad-Hoc Mobile Collaboration

For current generation of PDA and smart phone devices, wireless capabilities are practically a standard feature. Consequently, they should be able to support users in their spontaneous daily interactions. Yet, the original host-centric model of data synchronization is still entrenched, thereby depriving users of adequate support for ad-hoc collaboration. In our view, what is needed is a more relaxed and intuitive sharing model that reflects the semistructured nature of informal user interactions. We present TouchSync—a lightweight framework that allows users to easily form an ad-hoc group and automatically share data on their devices. The framework provides a flexible sharing mechanism that allows various single-user applications to be easily adapted for collaboration. Adapted applications completely retain their original user interaction functions, while the infrastructure provides generic collaboration tools for session management and privacy control. We discuss both the overall design of the framework and an implementation for PalmOS and Bluetooth. We also present implementation results from the adaptation of three common applications to support meetings.