So Google’s answer to Apple’s AirDrop, Nearby Share, is finally out of beta and will start rolling out. This uses technology already on smartphones to create a direct connection between devices to send over files, photos, links, songs, etc.
Nearby Share utilizes Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), WebRTC, or peer-to-peer Wi-Fi to pull this off. This will work if you’re on or offline as well. Of course, you have the control to be seen or not as a share point to share things with. You can also choose to be hidden, visible to some contacts or visible to all contacts, so you never receive files that you didn’t ask for. The feature is baked into the Share button within an app and look for the Nearby logo to start the sharing process.
The feature is rolling out today for Android devices running at least v6.0 and higher. Like anything else Android-wise, Pixels will get access 1st but they added Samsung devices & Chromebook support will arrive in ‘coming months’. It will work similar to how Chrome OS handles Instant Tethering w/ Pixel smartphones.
