Most of  us are Smartphone users, who just love our gadgets. We use them for enough time, and when it’s time to move on, we buy a new phone. But the major problem is to restore the contacts, messages, call log, music etc.
Genie9 has come up with an app called GCloud Backup for Android, which they say eliminates the need for users to worry about loss of data. Backup and restore the data on the Cloud! How good is it? Let us find out!

Initial Start:

You will be welcomed with the Login screen of the application, which we use to create a new account/Login to an existing account. This is a one-time process.
If you are a new user, it will ask you to enter your e-mail ID and password. Once done, it will start creating backup of your data.
If you are an exisiting user, it will ask for login credentials, and then the Restore Process Begins, without any prompting.
The app does backup of your selected data, at regular intervals of 1 day.

User Interface:
After using many applications, I felt apps in Android sure have improved in the graphics part. The User Interface started looking much better. So when I was using this app, I felt it to be simple and plain. Login screen felt cool, apart from that, it was plain old school. Don’t get me wrong, it does the job well, but it would’ve been better if the tabs/options were polished.  As this is one of the first versions, I think it is under consideration for future developments. But for now, it is just enough to get the job done!

Backup Process:

Considering that they are giving 1GB of free space, I felt it to be reasonable to backup just enough contacts, call logs, a few pics and messages. But if you are to backup even Music, Video and more Photos, you may consider upgrading your plan.
I selected Contacts, Call Logs and Messages for backup and the process began. With a high speed Wifi connection and a Dual Core Android(Samsung Galaxy R with Tegra 2 Dual Core), which ticks the medium-end spec well, it took a reasonable amount of time. Even while running in background, it took about 5-7 minutes for 350 contacts, a few call logs and a 20 messages. (Test Data)
When I tested the same on a Lower End Phone(Samsung Galaxy Fit with a 600Mhz Processor) it took about 10-15 minutes for the whole process. This should be considered high, when compared to Google’s Default Sync which does backup in under a minute.

Restore Process:

Well, after the time it took to backup, I felt that the restore process would again take a while. But fortunately, it was much faster.
The Restore screen prompts for the type of data to be restored, and the restore process starts.
When testing with my Galaxy R, it took about 2 minutes in all to restore the Contacts, Call Logs, and 20 Messages.
If you are restoring many messages, photos,and other data, you may complete it in about 10min realistically(with a 10MBps or more Data Connection).
In the case you are using an EDGE/GPRS connection or even 3G, you may need to find a good WiFi Spot, depending on your data. Else, it would suffice.

Plans:

10GB per Month – $0.99/month
Unlimited – $3.99/month

The pricing seems to be alright, but default storage space of 1GB is bare minimum.

How does it Stand?

After spending quite some time with the app, I felt it to be good enough to use it. But what about competition?

Having a  single app is still not an option. But, if you are to rely on high speed data for Backup/Restore for Contacts, then why not go with the Default Google Sync? It allows users to sync their contacts and apps with ease though messages are not covered. Sure, you can use Google+/Dropbox Instant Upload for syncing camera photos, or use any SMS app like GoSMS/Handcent to save SMS to the cloud and restore it. You may even do it manually, by using Google Drive/Dropbox/SkyDrive or any Cloud App.

But, they don’t justify the automation of backups.

Looking in on it from that perspective, it can be a killer app if it had:
1) Option to select folders to backup, instead of backing up all Documents/Music/Photos
2) Allow for setting the frequency of Updates – It is by default set for 1 Day, with an only option to set time.
3) Option to backup Music Playlists
4) Increased default storage  space – Lets face it. 2-3GB is a required bare minimum.
5) Ability to do more in the background – Only Backup/Restore can be done in background when Home button is pressed.
6) Better Memory Management – App always stays in active state. This may drain the battery in some phones.
7) Lastly, better UI

And… More options on the GCloud WebSite – To schedule Backup/Restore/ Delete Backups/ View Data Etc. All the time, I had to experience the “Please Wait” screen more than the Application Screen (this was on a good Wi-Fi). Coming to the point, GCloud is a good idea, and a potential app, but with a few shortcomings. If in the upcoming versions, Genie9 comes up with an improved application, then its their game! Until then, its still a decent app for backing up, though with some glitches.

Overall Rating: 7/10

Sri Teja Prabhala

I am Sri Teja. I am a funny guy who wants everyone around me to be happy. I am a Tech Holic, who likes to be up to date about the latest tech news and gadgets that are released. You know more about me, once you talk to me.

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