Syncthing offers a way to sync files directly between devices without relying on a cloud service. This allows users to keep their data private and eliminates the need for intermediary servers. It’s particularly effective for syncing photos and text notes across devices, as long as edits aren’t made offline on multiple devices at once. The author contemplates the broader implications of serverless personal tech and imagines a future where various digital tools, like calendars and email, operate similarly to Syncthing. For instance, the author suggests that calendars could simply be text files containing event data stored locally, eliminating the need for cloud storage. Email could also function without a central server by pulling messages directly from a provider and storing them in a list of text files. The potential to manage bookmarks, passwords, and settings through shared files rather than a centralized app is explored, questioning the necessity of services like Google for basic functions. The piece highlights the drawbacks of self-hosting a cloud service, which requires ongoing maintenance and technical skills. Many users stick with major platforms like Google to avoid the hassle of managing their own servers, despite concerns about data lock-in and the unpredictability of third-party services. The author argues for a system where data sync and application functions are decoupled, allowing for flexibility and easier migration of data between different applications and formats. This could involve plugins that sync app content with local text files while avoiding conflicts, and may necessitate the development of specialized applications for certain tasks, like managing contacts or calendars.