If you have an iPhone, you will know the function of AirDropa tool that allows you to send files between Apple devices, but is closed to the ecosystem, and does not work with Android or other types of operating systems. Something Google could change.
And the company's new announcement would inform us that now, Android themselves will be able to send and receive files through this system of transfer, in a very simple way, and without having to depend on whether Apple gives them permission, or not.
AirDrop on Android is now possible
Google has dropped a very interesting bombshell: Your Pixel 10 phones can now share files directly with iPhones, iPads and Macs using a mix between Quick Share (Google's system) and AirDrop (Apple's). The most surprising thing is that Google has done this on its own, without having to ask permission or collaboration from Apple.
For it to work, the iPhone (or iPad or Mac) user has to put their AirDrop in “Everyone for 10 minutes” mode, so that the Pixel can see it, which would happen with any other type of iPhone, for example.
Once this is done, From the Pixel you select Quick Share and the other device appears the same as an Apple one. The connection is direct between the two devices, without going through any server, which reinforces privacy, according to Google, and which leaves Apple in question, since it was supposedly a closed system, and they have managed to use it without permission.
Regarding security, Google assures that it has reviewed everything with its own team and also with an external security expert company (“pentesting”), to guarantee that there are no obvious risks.
In addition, they have used Rust (a programming language) for the “internal” part of this bridge between Quick Share and AirDrop, precisely because it helps prevent memory errors.
The idea goes further: Google says that it is only the first step, and that it would like to evolve so that the “Everyone for 10 minutes” mode is not necessary and it can also be used in “Contacts only”, although this will have to wait.
For now, only the Pixel 10 have this featurebut Google has already announced that it hopes to expand it to other Android devices, so it could be part of the operating system itself, since we remember that Android is part of Google, even though, at first, they only want to apply it to their own phones, to be able to offer something exclusive.
For users, this is a win: Sharing photos, videos or documents between Android and iPhone becomes much easierwithout depending on strange apps or uploading everything to the cloud. But there is also some tension: Apple has not said anything publicly, and some are already wondering if it could block it in future updates, or at least make it difficult for Google to end up giving up.
In short: Google found a way for AirDrop to work on Android (at least on its Pixel 10), it did it on its own, with care about security, and it opens a door for freer communication between Android and Apple.
