Google has recently launched its Nearby Share Beta for Windows, a feature aimed at enhancing the integration between Android and Windows systems. This feature was introduced during the CES 2022 event, and it is a significant development in the field of file sharing, especially for users of both Android and Windows systems. In this article, we will explore the details of this new feature and how it compares to Apple’s Airdrop.
Nearby Share is a feature that enables users to share files between Android devices that are close together. With the new beta version, Google has extended this feature to include Windows systems. This means that users can now share files between Windows computers and Android devices with ease. This feature is designed to make file sharing more accessible and faster than ever before.
How to Set Up Nearby Share on Windows
Setting up Nearby Share on Windows is a straightforward process. First, you need to download the app from the Android website, ensuring that your computer is running on a 64-bit version of Windows 10 or higher and does not use ARM processors. Then, enable your PC’s WiFi and Bluetooth and choose who is allowed to see your device and send you files.
In the device visibility settings menu, you can choose from several options: visible to everyone, visible to contacts, visible to your devices only, or not visible at all. If you don’t select the last option, Android devices will be able to share files with your computer, even if the app is running in the background.
Transferring Files with Nearby Share
Once you have set up Nearby Share, you can share images, videos, documents, and more between Windows computers and Android devices that are close together. You can share files between your own devices or with people around you who also use Nearby Share. When other people send files to you, you will be asked to approve the request. Files are encrypted when you share them.
Transferring files from your PC to an Android phone is as easy as dragging and dropping them into the Nearby Share app, or right-clicking on the files and choosing the Nearby Share option. If you’re logged into the same Google account on both devices, transfers will be automatically accepted, even if the recipient device’s screen is off. Keep in mind, though, that both devices must be within 16 feet of each other.
Airdrop vs. Nearby Share
Apple’s Airdrop has been a popular feature for iOS and MacOS users for years. It enables users to transfer files between Apple devices quickly and easily. However, Google’s Nearby Share Beta for Windows aims to compete with Airdrop by providing a similar feature for Android and Windows users.
While Nearby Share Beta is a significant development, it is still in beta, and it may not be as fast and reliable as Airdrop. Additionally, the beta version currently only works with Android phones and tablets, and it is not yet available on all devices. However, Google plans to broaden its compatibility across its entire ecosystem in the future.
das so slow. ew
— Naijeru-Sama (ナイジェル) (@NigelJr_) April 2, 2023
Google’s Nearby Share Beta for Windows is a significant development in the field of file sharing. With this feature, Android and Windows users can share files with ease, making it an excellent alternative to Apple’s Airdrop. Although it is still in beta, it is a promising development, and it will undoubtedly improve with time. So, if you’re an Android and Windows user, give it a try and see how it works for you.
Discover more from Techspace Africa
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.