New software ‘streams’ data and code resources to an app from a cloud server when necessary, allowing the app to use only the space it needs on a phone at any given time.

New software «streams» data and code resources to an app from a cloud server when necessary, allowing the app to use only the space it needs on a phone at any given time.

«It’s like how Netflix movies aren’t actually stored on a computer. They are streamed to you as you are watching them,» said Saurabh Bagchi, a Purdue University professor of electrical and computer engineering, and computer science, and director of the Center for Resilient Infrastructures, Systems and Processes.

«Here the application components, like heavy video or graphics or code paths, are streaming instantly despite the errors and slowdowns that are possible on a cellular network.»

Bagchi’s team showed in a study how the software, called «AppStreamer,» cuts down storage requirements by at least 85% for popular gaming apps on an Android.

The software seamlessly shuffles data between an app and a cloud server without stalling the game. Most study participants didn’t notice any differences in their gaming experience while the app used AppStreamer.

Story Source: Materials provided by Purdue University. Original written by Kayla Wiles. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.