News & Reviews:   AirDrop

If you frequently use WhatsApp, this news might catch your attention. Rumour says the app could release its version of the AirDrop feature. So, what should you know about it?

Apple has tweaked how AirDrop functions on the iPhone, whereby users now only have the option to toggle AirDrop sharing with ‘Everyone’ for 10 minutes. Previously, the toggle allows you to always keep AirDrop on, thus allowing anyone nearby to share files with you.

Samsung has made file sharing easier by launching a new Good Lock module called Dropship. If you have no idea what Good Lock is, it's actually a Galaxy Store app that allows users to access various customization options such as theming, UI tweaking, and more. Back to Dropship, the new module will enable more seamless file sharing across Android, iOS, and the web by using a data-driven approach.

Way back in March, Google confirmed that it's hard at work on the Nearby Sharing feature. As you may know, this is Google's answer to Apple's AirDrop feature. The company has now confirmed that the feature is now in beta and users who are interested can try it out.

Now that Android 11 beta has launched, Android users finally got access to a feature that's similar to Apple's AirDrop - the Nearby Sharing feature. But Google isn't content with just making it usable on mobile. A source has found that Google plans to make the feature available on even more platforms.

Previously, vivo, OPPO and Xiaomi have teamed up to launch a file transfer system that can be deemed as the Android version of Apple's AirDrop. However, the file transfer system could only work between devices from these three brands, and it's not enough. Now, it has been announced that four more brands including OnePlus, Realme, Xiaomi's Black Shark and Meizu are joining the alliance as well, which could eventually lead to more brands joining to take a chance against the AirDrop.

AirDrop is undeniably one of the strongest features from Apple's ecosystem. When it comes to file sharing, the feature works seamlessly without all the hassles that we encounter on Android smartphones. For that, Google has launched the Android Beam earlier to provide local sharing functionality, but then it has been renamed as Fast Share on Android 10. Now, a source is telling us that the feature is getting its name changed again, this time it will be called Nearby Sharing.