While Chromebooks already have capabilities that make them work with Android, like Instant Tethering, Google is rolling out a new feature called Nearby Share that will make Android and Chromebook work better together.
The AirDrop-like file sharing feature, Nearby Share is already available for select Android devices, including the Pixel lineup and a few Samsung devices. But, Google has confirmed that it will come to all Android devices running 6.0 or higher in the coming weeks.
Nearby Share for Android will rely on Bluetooth, Wi-Fi direct, and third-party apps such as ShareIT for easy file sharing.
How Nearby Share will work on Android
Nearby Share works by automatically choosing the best protocol for fast sharing either using Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, WebRTC or peer-to-peer WiFi, allowing file sharing even when fully offline.
Similar to AirDrop, you can choose the visibility settings such as: all, some, or stay hidden so that others can't detect that you are sharing files, with the possibility of sending the files anonymously.
Nearby Share will eventually work with Chromebooks for swift sharing of files between Android device.
How safe and secure is Nearby Share
Google claims that Nearby Share was built with privacy at its core, so you can share and receive files with peace of mind.
As Nearby Share allows you to send and receive files anonymously, it also allows you to adjust the privacy settings from your phone’s Quick Settings which you can set to “hidden,” visible to “some contacts” or visible to “all contacts,” so that you will never receive unsolicitaed files.
Google promises to bring Nearby Share to more devices in the Android ecosystem over the next coming weeks.
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