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Android and iPhone users can now share files, starting with the Pixel 10

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Re: Android and iPhone users can now share files, starting with the Pixel 10

#61

Aren't most people just sending files over whatsapp/signal/whatever instant messaging apps they use?

AirDrop is cool because it works offline with relatively high bandwidth using local RF. If you want to wait for you and the target to transmit all the data to/from some server 1000 miles away (using up your precious bandwidth quota along the way) that’s always been an option.

I just airdropped 130 photos from my phone to my coach and I was sure it would take forever. The preparing stage on my phone took maybe 10 seconds, and the actual transfer took what looked like 2 seconds. I couldn't believe it.

Re: Android and iPhone users can now share files, starting with the Pixel 10

#62
Around 2008 I saw two girls, not too versed in technology, share a mp3 song over bluetooth. At the time I thought that if technology finally arrived at the point where "normal people" could be able to do things that required lots of technical knowledge just a few years ago then we were very close to a future where technology could be a giant enabler of powers to everyone.

I am really ashamed by how wrong I was and how WE allowed things to became so artificially limited.

Re: Android and iPhone users can now share files, starting with the Pixel 10

#63
post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On iPhones you can't install software except through the app store

Well Android is going to be the same way now, too.

Certainly not. Google is only mandating signing. That’s already extremely bad but that’s still infinitely better than what Apple offers.

Re: Android and iPhone users can now share files, starting with the Pixel 10

#64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ever since the iphone apple has been trying to make you believe files aren't a thing.

Im not sure if Android has caught up but the iOS file explorer app is excellent.

Saying "I'm not sure if Android has caught up" when Android is decades ahead of Apple in that regard is some kind of... something.

Re: Android and iPhone users can now share files, starting with the Pixel 10

#65
post #58

The fact that I get excited about this is actually a good representation much vendor lock there is. We used to be able to send files over Bluetooth before the iPhone came out.

> We used to be able to send files over Bluetooth before the iPhone came out. Cross platforms, really? So for example between a Blackberry and a Windows CE phone?

I don’t know about blackberry, but it worked fine between feature phone Nokias and windows pdas / phones (before windows phone 7).

Re: Android and iPhone users can now share files, starting with the Pixel 10

#66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm pretty sure that iOS only has a file explorer app because Android supported it. There was almost a whole decade there where Apple pretended that the feature just didn't need to exist.

To be fair, Android lacked a stock file browser for much of its existence.

The difference is that iOS still doesn't show you the files on your device. It only shows you files in a small area.

Re: Android and iPhone users can now share files, starting with the Pixel 10

#67
post #47

It seems that this is directional, flowing from Android to Apple but not necessarily back (e.g., me airdropping a photo to my parent who uses Android). I'd love for this to work in the other direction as well.

The demo shows it working both ways, so you're in luck

Re: Android and iPhone users can now share files, starting with the Pixel 10

#68
post #47

It seems that this is directional, flowing from Android to Apple but not necessarily back (e.g., me airdropping a photo to my parent who uses Android). I'd love for this to work in the other direction as well.

The video shows both directions.

Re: Android and iPhone users can now share files, starting with the Pixel 10

#69
post #58

The fact that I get excited about this is actually a good representation much vendor lock there is. We used to be able to send files over Bluetooth before the iPhone came out.

> We used to be able to send files over Bluetooth before the iPhone came out. Cross platforms, really? So for example between a Blackberry and a Windows CE phone?

Most of what are called "dumbphones" allowed easy file sharing over bluetooth. Even the cheapest ones.
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