Apple Working on Local Backup Servers for iOS Devices Needing Genius Bar Replacement?

[MacRumors]

9to5Mac reports that Apple is working on a new hardware solution for its retail store Genius Bars that would allow staff to quickly back up devices requiring replacement and move that data back onto the the replacement devices. While users are always encouraged to back up their devices before bringing them to a Genius Bar appointment, users who fail to do so and then learn that their devices require replacement can lose valuable data.

According to the report, the systems would essentially be a local wireless backup system capable of quickly obtaining an iCloud backup from a device and temporarily storing it while the device is swapped out for the user. Once the replacement device is powered on and activated if necessary, Genius Bar staff would be able to quickly pull that data onto the new device to provide the user with a fully-updated and functional replacement device.

A user brings in their iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch to the Genius Bar to be swapped for a fully working unit. The person didn't back up their device. Now, instead of having to conduct an iCloud wireless backup or go home for a tethered iTunes backup, the Genius Bar will have the ability to mirror an iCloud backup, but onto a local store server. After the device is swapped, the Genius can pull the content right back from the server onto the new device. The content is then automatically wiped from the store server.

While users could presumably use their existing iCloud accounts and Apple's in-store Wi-Fi access to accomplish similar backups in the event that device replacement is needed, the local systems are said to operate more efficiently and can assist users who have not signed up for iCloud accounts.

The report's source indicates that the project is still in the early prototyping phase and may not ever be released, but if Apple does decide to bring it into the field it may begin appearing in retail stores in mid-2013.

Article Link: Apple Working on Local Backup Servers for iOS Devices Needing Genius Bar Replacement?

 

[Santabean2000]

I guess it's safe to give them all your private info...

 

[ericinboston]

Not to mention doing it to the iCloud in their stores is extremely slow...I had to replace my iPhone 4S and had only a few GB of stuff and I was there for 45 mins. Apple (understandably) refused to let me leave the phone while I went to go have dinner (and if I am returning it for a replacement due to defect, what risk is there that someone is going to steal it!?)...but Apple could have simply plopped it in the back room where I'm sure 11 security cameras are installed.

 

[jayhawk11]

I guess it's safe to give them all your private info...

No different than handing over your MacBook Pro for a repair.

 

[afawcett]

I think its a good idea, but you know people are going to go crazy over privacy concerns.

 

[imageWIS]

Wouldn't it be more practical for Apple to use Thunderbolt to transfer what is potentially 100's of GB's (or maybe even 2 TB's) of info from a users computer to their servers and then back again after the computer has been formatted and MAC OS reinstalled?

Transferring that much data over WI-Fi is going to take a long, long time.

 

[mopatops]

Sounds brilliant to me. Anyone with concerns over this needs to screw their head back on.

 

[Drunken Master]

I guess it's safe to give them all your private info...

Just 99 percent of the time.

I'm sure at some point someone will get a job there in an attempt to steal the information, just like there are already cases of people who get jobs at the store to steal merchandise, sell it and then quit after a little while.

I'd imagine only the store manager would be able to access or manipulate it and would have to sign in for employees or something along those lines.

 

[Jayse]

Long overdue in my opinion. Less of a headache for the average/below average user who may struggle doing it themselves

 

[Consultant]

Needs to be wired backup.

Otherwise 64GB devices will take too long to backup / restore.

 

[hchung]

Wouldn't it be more practical for Apple to use Thunderbolt to transfer what is potentially 100's of GB's (or maybe even 2 TB's) of info from a users computer to their servers and then back again after the computer has been formatted and MAC OS reinstalled?

Transferring that much data over WI-Fi is going to take a long, long time.

According to the post, it's for iOS devices, not Macs.

(Asking for Thunderbolt on an iOS device is a dumb idea for other reasons, for at least the next 2 years.)

 

[Richdmoore]

Wouldn't it be more practical for Apple to use Thunderbolt to transfer what is potentially 100's of GB's (or maybe even 2 TB's) of info from a users computer to their servers and then back again after the computer has been formatted and MAC OS reinstalled?

Transferring that much data over WI-Fi is going to take a long, long time.

I believe the backup would be for iOS devices, no mention of OSX is in the original article.

 

[fabian9]

the systems would essentially be a local wireless backup system capable of quickly obtaining an iCloud backup from a device...

... and can assist users who have not signed up for iCloud accounts.

so how would it get a backup for the users device out of iCloud if the user has never signed up for iCloud before?

 

[charlieegan3]

seems like common sense. I can see the time taken per customer changing a lot, and those with lots of data waiting a long time.

 

[OriginalMacRat]

Wouldn't it be more practical for Apple to use Thunderbolt to transfer what is potentially 100's of GB's (or maybe even 2 TB's)

You have a 100GB iPhone?

 

[Cubytus]

Welcomed, but still ridiculous. Sonce the beginning, Geniuses and media have been telling people, more or less bluntly: "BACKUP YOUR ****ING DATA !!!". Backup media is very affordable, and there's no single reason *not* to backup one's data, except crass laziness.

This is even less excusable on iOS devices that need to be connected to iTunes to load them with significants amounts of content, that automatically backs up devices by default.

The process needs to be wired, and needs to lose USB in favor of a faster option. It's a pain to mage a full 32GB backup with that slow interface, and I guess things will only get worse as larger models are reventually released.

 

[yeah]

so how would it get a backup for the users device out of iCloud if the user has never signed up for iCloud before?

The Genius people would connect the iDevice to Apple's In-Store Wi-Fi, then use the local server to quickly make a full backup of your device, then turn on the new device, and restore for the local server (like a mini iCloud). Then all the data in the local server will be wiped.

 

[JAT]

9to5Mac reports that Apple is working on a new hardware solution for its retail store Genius Bars that would allow staff to quickly back up devices requiring replacement and move that data back onto the the replacement devices.

Quickly? I thought we removed Firewire from devices long ago.

According to the report, the systems would essentially be a local wireless backup system capable of quickly obtaining an iCloud backup from a device and temporarily storing it while the device is swapped out for the user.

Oh. So they mean....slowly.

 

[Carl Sagan]

I think its a good idea, but you know people are going to go crazy over privacy concerns.

I doubt they will. The slowness of data transfer would be a bigger pain for the average customer.

 

[foodog]

No different than handing over your MacBook Pro for a repair.

With the user ID and password they ask for....

 

[appsforkids]

I would like to have my own personal iCloud on my LAN that would be pretty cool, maybe they will take it to the next level.

 

[ECUpirate44]

Needs to be wired backup.

Otherwise 64GB devices will take too long to backup / restore.

On the Wifi in Apple Store's? Nah.

 

[baryon]

But… iTunes backs up your entire iOS device every single time you plug it in… What's the point? There's no way anyone doesn't back up their iOS device, unless they don't own a computer, in which case they weren't able to use their iOS device anyway.

 

[snakebitesmac]

Camera Roll

Why doesn't the Camera Roll back up to iTunes / iCloud like everything else? I've always wanted to know that.

 

[henrystar]

No different than handing over your MacBook Pro for a repair.

Or handing your credit card to the waiter. Sheesh!