What GNU + Linux software could enable deep integration of backup, sync, and transfer; just as convenient and beginner-friendly (edit: and efficient) as what Apple provides?
For example, iOS has these features:
iCloud backup restore or peer-to-peer transfer, very early in the device setup process
Two ways for things to be stored in iCloud, each with a corresponding list of per-app (not per-folder) toggle switches in iCloud Settings
"Saved to iCloud" normal syncing
Requires apps to use the right APIs and to handle conflicting changes
Allows same data to be read and modified by multiple devices
iCloud backup
Available for all apps
Separate backup per device
Only downloaded when setting up a new device
In app sandboxes, only excludes tmp (Flatpak equivalent is somewhere in /run) and Library/Caches (equivalent to cache directory in Flatpak sandbox) by default
Allows apps to set isExcludedFromBackup attribute for specific files (useful for things that are easy to recreate via download but are expected by the user to not be automatically deleted)
Includes system configuration such as home screen layout
Backs up a list of installed apps without backing up their executables and assets
Synced list of previously installed apps, not separate per-device
Yeah I have a raspberry pi ‘syncthing hub’ that keeps all my devices uniform down to dot files and configs. It’s so essential. It’s so nice as well to be able to switch from my desktop to a laptop and continue coding seamlessly. Everything is ready as soon as I log to my computer. Don’t have to use any kind of service like google cloud, etc.
I feel like this, combined with an immutable distro and copy-on-write fs like zfs could make a really robust setup.
Maybe not beginner friendly yet but all the pieces are there.