Since iPhone and Android exist, it’s no coincidence that we separate the two ecosystems: inside each, users enjoy very practical features. But things go awry when it comes to sharing something with a user from the other ecosystem. File sharing is much easier, especially between devices in the same ecosystem: Android Beam enables file sharing via NFC, so for example, to share a photo, all you have to do is press the corresponding share button and then zoom in. From the NFC module of the smartphone to the NFC module of another smartphone with the functionality enabled, everything happens without bumping the steps too much…
Android will soon have a better alternative to AirDrop than the original!
iPhone users also benefit from an equally advanced transfer system: AirDrop. The latter relies on a combination of Bluetooth and WiFi, not NFC, to initiate the transfer and allow particularly high speeds – very useful when there are files, for example, large videos. The user presses the share button again and a button generally representing the nearby smartphone appears (iPhones have AirDrop enabled by default). All you have to do is tap this icon (depending on the other party’s acceptance, depending on their settings) for the transfer to start. The two systems are very practical, but we told you, they are absolutely incompatible with each other.
However, Google is about to change that: A little earlier in the year, the company announced that Android Beam, which was introduced under Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 (with a long history…), will no longer be under Android Q. at least as far as we know. Our colleagues at 9to5Google reveal that “Quick Share” – this is its replacement name – has been tested in the latest Android Q beta builds: they’ve managed to enable it and show how it works. First of all, according to the screenshots, this system for sharing files and other content for the first time is compatible with both Android smartphones and iPhones running iOS.
The first thing you should know is that Fast Share allows you to transfer images, files, web addresses and copied text. “to nearby devices without internet”. This already removes the initial ambiguity: it is indeed a direct file transfer system that does not rely on the cloud. You can access the feature from the share menu (the icon is a blue diamond) or Settings > Google > Quick Share under Android. Under iOS, it seems necessary to install a special app. During first use, the user is prompted to choose a name for their device. When the user selects Quick Share, a list of nearby smartphones that can use the service is displayed – this is a behavior especially close to AirDrop.
Tap the smartphone you want to transfer files to to start the transfer. On the recipient’s smartphone, Quick Share displays a notification whether the user should accept the file. Then the transfer starts with a progress bar still in the notification. As with AirDrop, the user can choose the discovery behavior of other smartphones and self-detection. Therefore, it can restrict detection, for example, to prevent unwanted transmissions. In turn, it can select certain devices as trusted to speed up detection and sharing of files and content.
According to 9to5Google, the feature will eventually be compatible with many pre-Q versions of Android – Fast Share is indeed part of Google Play Services and enabling it seems to be server-side. However, we do not yet know when this feature will be rolled out. In addition, it is not yet known which Fast Share application will be available to iOS users. However, these few snaps provide a first overview of the system. What do you think ? Share your views in the comments!
Source : 9to5Google
