Microsoft Garage, the company's outlet for experimental projects, is working on a new cross-platform organizational app called Cache, which lets users bookmark content and access it from other connected devices using the same account. But wait, doesn't this sound familiar?
Yes, it does. The new application is largely similar to the multi-platform universal clipboard OneClip, which Microsoft had on an internal beta phase last year before it got leaked to the public.
Shortly after the leak, Microsoft prohibited public access to the service. Cache is also on its beta phase at the moment and although Microsoft chose to keep quiet regarding the new app, it didn't take long for people to uncover it.
the Cache app demo video pic.twitter.com/Vytlsd6BCb
— WalkingCat (@h0x0d) Aug. 22, 2016
As shown on the app's demo video, content can be bookmarked by simply dragging and dropping or by the conventional copy and paste. According to Cache developers, the app can bookmark images and reference materials, capture text snippets and web pages, as well as store simple notes and files. Cache also allows users to create groups for better content organization.
Bookmarks made on Cache will be synced across all of the user's connected devices. At the moment, Cache is available on Windows 10 and iOS. Many believe that if Cache pushes through into an official release, an Android port will be produced. Note that OneClip had ports for Windows, iOS and Android.
Some comment that Microsoft can release Cache as a possible competitor for Google Keep, which works in a similar fashion but takes advantage of Google's software arsenal in order to provide unique functions such as converting text on images into text documents. Whether Microsoft chooses to do so, however, still remains to be seen.
Cache is currently on an invite-only program and those who wish to use the beta version must state how they intend to use the app and await an approval for the registration.
"Your participation will help identify issues, provide additional diagnostics and telemetry, and give us valuable feedback to make Cache great," says Cache's registration page.
Suffice to say, Microsoft's plans for Cache, if there are any, seem a bit too unclear at the moment since insiders suggest that OneClip will be released as an integrated feature for Windows and Office, with availability for other platforms. It is also purported that OneClip's release will come as part of Windows 10 Redstone update for 2017. Microsoft is yet to comment on this rumor.
