Nearby Share: Android’s AirDrop coming to third-party apps, Windows, iOS…


Google took advantage of its conference to announce to developers that the Nearby Sharing feature would open up to third-party apps.

Nearby Share // Source: Google

On the sidelines of the Google I/O conference, the Android developer took the opportunity to organize workshops for Android application developers. Good news for them and by extension for us: the nearby sharing function named Nearby Sharewill open to third-party apps.

This feature uses Wifi, Bluetooth, but alsoultra-wideband to work. It competes with Apple’s AirDrop by allowing file sharing between its devices.

Android 13’s new clipboard with Nearby Share

Among the new features of Android 13 is the clipboard interface which is completed with the “Share Nearby” button. It shows nearby devices that can receive what you copied from your smartphone or Chromebook.

Nearby Share: Android’AirDrop Coming to Third-Party Apps, Windows, iOS…
An explanation for developers during a Google I/O workshop // Source: 9to5Google

Once your copied item is sent, you can paste it on the target device, just like you would have done entirely locally.

Third-party applications will be able to take advantage of Nearby Share

During a workshop dedicated to developers called ” Create powerful, cross-device experiences», we learn that Google wants all applications to benefit from experiences similar to what Google offers on its applications and on Android. He announces that he willdesign, build and deliver the core framework and capabilities that enable devices in the Android ecosystem to enrich each other“.

Nearby Share: Android’AirDrop Coming to Third-Party Apps, Windows, iOS…
An explanation for developers during a Google I/O workshop // Source: 9to5Google

So it’s going to take the form of APIs that will take “Support two-way communication between devices so that two devices can not only talk to each other, but also share a common task“. Google announces that these APIs are usable immediately and has “intends to support cross-platform development, extending beyond Android to cover Chrome OS, iOS, Windows, and other platforms“.

Nearby Share: Android’AirDrop Coming to Third-Party Apps, Windows, iOS…

This deployment will initially be via Google Play services, but the giant plans to add it natively to future versions of Android. A first preview should arrive during the second quarter of 2022.

What our apps will be able to do with Nearby Sharing

Google gives some examples of the possibilities of Nearby Share with third-party Android applications:

  • Buy or rent a movie on your TV using your phone to choose your payment method.
  • Start reading an article on one device and continue reading it on another device.
  • Share a destination from your phone to a car.
  • Share your itinerary with other people.
  • Make a collective online order without having to pass your phone.

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