Software
Android file sharing function 'Nearby Share' finally starts
Finally, it is a little easier for Android devices to share files, pictures, links and other content. Google is launching a new feature called Android "Nearby Share," which allows direct shares between all Android 6 and up devices. Some Pixeln and Samsung phones already have Nearby Share and Google says that it will arrive "in the next few weeks" on another device.
Nearby Share works much like Apple's iPhone AirDrop feature: You just select the Nearby Share button from the share menu and wait until a nearby phone appears. Anything you share, then, is sent directly to the other phone via your transfer method.
As with AirDrop, the visibility you prefer for Nearby Share can be set to different contact levels: all, some, or stay hidden. In addition, Nearby Share also shares files via the method that your two phones consider the most rapidly: Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, WebRTC or peer-to - peer Wi-Fi, which Google says should allow it to function offline, and it is even possible to "send and receive files anonymously." This way Google will also share files directly with you.
Nearby Share will operate on Android phones and work "in the coming months" on Chromebooks, but it can not share on iOS devices, Macs or Windows.
When asked if any of those would be supportive, a Google speaker said that he was planning in future to broaden the feature to include additional platforms.
In 2011, a total of 9 years ago, Apple launched AirDrop on iPhone and Mac. Since then, Android has undergone several different file sharing iterations and ideas, but none of these are near the convenience and simplicity of AirDrop. Furthermore, few of the solutions have been accepted universally by all Android producers.
