This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
On August 4th, Google's Android Nearby Sharing feature started rolling out to eligible devices, marking a significant step in the company's efforts to make file sharing easier and more private.
According to Google, only devices running on Android 6.0 Marshmallow and newer versions will have access to the feature, which is currently limited to Google's own Pixel devices and select Samsung devices.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, with its ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, is one of the first non-Pixel devices to support Nearby Sharing, allowing users to send data over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other wireless protocols using high-frequency short-range signals.
With Nearby Sharing, users can choose their level of visibility to nearby devices, and file transfers are initiated with a notification to accept or reject the transfer. The feature automatically chooses the best protocol for fast and easy sharing, even when devices are fully offline.
While Apple's AirDrop solution works across Macs, iPhones, and iPads, Google's Nearby Sharing feature is currently limited to Android devices, with support for Chromebooks set to be added later.
