iOS 7 May Include AirDrop Wireless File Sharing Capabilities

[Prof.]

S Drop

- Samsung

SkyDrop

- Microsoft

 

[iMikeT]

AirDrop for iOS will be a welcome addition! I hate having to MMS someone a photo or video. I also hope this will be cross platform where we can AirDrop from the Mac to iOS device and back.

 

[Ajones330]

I imagine a lot of the people who say Apple is late to this will be in love once its released as long as it works. I have noticed that most Apple consumers have short memories...

 

[Seppentoni]

That thing never worked on any of my computers.

 

[ikir]

I use AirDrop often, very handy!

 

[itickings]

The one drawback with Dropbox is how slow it can be to add new devices. I have 11 GB used right now - when I add a new device it takes it around 30 hours to download all the files. I'd really like it if you could prioritize files on it or something... like, get these files downloaded ASAP because I need them right now, everything else will be nice in the future but I don't need them right now.

You can already do that, sort of. When installing Dropbox, go advanced and select which folders to sync. Only check those folders that you need ASAP. When those folders have been synced, alter the settings to include everything and the rest will catch up eventually.

Additionally, if you connect the devices to the same LAN (and have LAN sync enabled and haven't blocked it in the firewalls) the speed should be more or less awesome.

 

[3282868]

That thing never worked on any of my computers.

Another member "politely" advised me that I was incorrect on which hardware supports AirDrop, so as not to offend anyone else's delicate sensibilities I've removed my previous comment. It seems some take technology a little too seriously.

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

What's with features leaping from OSX to IOS and vice versa and being touted as "new" when they release? Need NEW features.

Such as?

 

[Millah]

They already have this functionality. Its called s-beam (android beam) Its also much better implemented and uses wifi direct so it doesn't require devices to be on the same wireless network like this will. Using NFC for the pairing makes the setup of the connection extremely simple.

Umm, in case you've never used Airdrop, it doesn't require any Wifi connection at all. Your Macs could both be off WiFi and it works. And it "pairs" automatically, it just finds other Macs within range and you send the file.

Might help to actually know the feature you're talking about before calling another implementation better.

Personally, I think having some clever engineering making use of hardware that's ALREADY in the phone is a much better implementation than adding new hardware. Granted, yes NFC has other uses, but its main feature (as of now) is S Beam. And Apple is accomplishing the same thing without any extra hardware. Even S Beam itself wasn't anything new. Back when the App Store launched, there was an app called Bump that would transfer files by bumping your phone into somebody else's.

 

[blackhand1001]

Umm, in case you've never used Airdrop, it doesn't require any Wifi connection at all. Your Macs could both be off WiFi and it works. And it "pairs" automatically, it just finds other Macs within range and you send the file.

Might help to actually know the feature you're talking about before calling another implementation better.

Personally, I think having some clever engineering making use of hardware that's ALREADY in the phone is a much better implementation than adding new hardware. Granted, yes NFC has other uses, but its main feature (as of now) is S Beam. And Apple is accomplishing the same thing without any extra hardware. Even S Beam itself wasn't anything new. Back when the App Store launched, there was an app called Bump that would transfer files by bumping your phone into somebody else's.

Any android phone that has come out since fall 2011 has had NFC built in so that point is moot. Android beam also does more than just files. It can transfer contacts, apps, webpages, pictures, and third party apps can make use of it as well.

 

[bigandtasty]

I've been saying this should have come to iOS for the longest.

+1, Hell yes you have! Thanks for keeping the dream alive brother!

Big,And...Tasty

 

[Slim02]

It requires 2011+ hardware/systems. Some older Mac systems were not supported. As well, when first released some did not fully understand that both systems need to have "AirDrop" selected in their Finder. Otherwise, OS X does not broadcast the signal necessary for discovery.

WRONG..

Apple elaborates that the following Mac generations are compatible with AirDrop when running OS X Lion or OS X Mountain Lion:

MacBook Pro (Late 2008 or newer*)
MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
MacBook (Late 2008 or newer*)
iMac (Early 2009 or newer)
Mac mini (Mid-2010 or newer)
Mac Pro (Early 2009 with AirPort Extreme card or Mid-2010 or newer)


On Apple's own support site, the company notes that if AirDrop "isn't listed under the Go menu or doesn't appear in Finder window sidebars, your Mac doesn't support this feature" when running OS X Lion or OS X Mountain Lion. Earlier versions of the operating system are not supported.

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

Screw AirDrop.
Finally bring me AirPlay Direct and I will buy 87 AppleTVs to hook up to projectors tomorrow.

 

[Cmd-the-World]

I don't know if this was mentioned before but how will the file transfer actually work? I mean on the recieving end will the person get a choice to open the document in which ever app he wants?

I am thinking maybe that Apple will implement a download folder or else open up a little the file system to have a unified location to store data. However I think this is wishful thinking.

 

[esaruoho]

Where is the ability to use your lock screen for anything else but a slide to unlock button and a clock?

did you forget the camera + music playback + AirPlay switching on purpose?

Where is the ability to facetime multiple people simultaneously?

Multiple camera screens, switch screen, video overlays etc :
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2011/10/apple-preparing-another-round-of-facetime-innovations.html
Facetime conferencing, picture-in-picture:
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2013/04/apple-granted-41-patents-today-covering-multitouch-facetime-conferencing-ipad-app-editing-much-more.html

How about some profile settings such as when I'm in a meeting, I'd like certain calls to come in, other calls to be discarded and when I'm out of a meeting, I just select a profile to return to normal, etc.

*cough* Do Not Disturb -mode? Have you tried it?


Next you'll be demanding that all iDevices have multiple user profiles. i've read about that too from patentlyapple.

look, i, too, want all the goodies all the time and immediately and if Samsung have 10 features, I can pretend that I want Apple to rip off the 10 features and add a hundred on top of them, but to be honest, Apple march to the sound of a different drummer, and they'll give us features when they get around to them - and when they are simple, easy to understand and fluid to use..

If I were to be serious for a while, I'd love that my next MacBookPro / iDevice-purchase would finally use Fuel Cell and Solar Panel and heat harvesting technologies for energy production so that all my future Apple devices can be completely off-the-grid, never having to charge. But I, just like you, have to wait for Apple to release these products.

Mind you, releasing a Mac Pro in 2013 with a PicoProjector AND Fuel Cell & Solar Panel charging would be shockingly awesome. I can't wait for these products to come out!

That to me is way more important than FaceTime conferencing with multiple people, or AirDrop (cool as it may be). To be honest, I'd like PhotoStream to have a switch for toggling between Cellular transfer and Wi-Fi only. then I'd actually use PhotoStream.
And, of course, being able to toggle 3G On and Off without losing Edge/GSM email connectivity for example. I have no use for LTE.

 

[Virinprew]

If it took 7 iterations of a mobile phone operating system to achieve file sharing between two like devices sharing "limited file types" (of course this is apple we're talking about now) -

this is truly pathetic. Where is mobile payments (aside from the lame duck up passbook which is really lame)? Where is the ability to use your lock screen for anything else but a slide to unlock button and a clock? Where is the support for multi camera editing features such as white balance control, focus control, zoom control, self timer controls, hell, how about allowing us to use up to ISO3200 natively? Where is the ability to facetime multiple people simultaneously? Where is the feature to allow users to block certain phone calls they don't want to receive, at least give us an option to "send to voicemail' on all unwanted phone calls? How about no limits on folder items? How about being able to set any settings via voice control via SIRI? Right now it says it can't do that - which is truly pathetic. How about being able to send text/imessages via any app via a simple drop down notification system like beejive? How about some profile settings such as when I'm in a meeting, I'd like certain calls to come in, other calls to be discarded and when I'm out of a meeting, I just select a profile to return to normal, etc.

Most of these are available 3rd party apps and jailbroken apps - but seriously, all I get in iOS 6.1 is the ducking button slider (when playing music) when tilted to any side, it will "mimic" a reflection on the button surface.

There needs to be way more than this "airshare" feature - I don't even know who will be using this because you still need to have a wifi connection! Just let us send stuff via bluetooth AT LEAST.

Calm down. WWDC will start in seven days. Let's see what they've got first.

 

[esaruoho]

Sounds like somebody doesn't know what photostream is! ~

PhotoStream is Wi-Fi only. I'm Ethernet only at home. I have an unlimited 3G contract. I would use PhotoStream if it could be toggled to work via Cellular Data transfers.
In fact, I'd be delighted!

----------

Deeper social network intergration doesn't count as progress or innovation.

How about iGroups?
http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2010/03/igroups-apples-new-iphone-social-app-in-development.html

 

[CmdrLaForge]

Perfect for dropping movies instead of syncing. AirDrop is faster than USB tends to be.

Never worked for me. I think its a broken feature.

 

[esaruoho]

Fine, whatever ... My point is that the feature needs to work over ethernet.

I too would value AirDrop functioning over Ethernet But that's just me being an Ethernet-face.

 

[Millah]

Any android phone that has come out since fall 2011 has had NFC built in so that point is moot. Android beam also does more than just files. It can transfer contacts, apps, webpages, pictures, and third party apps can make use of it as well.

Once again, I said NFC has other uses, but none of those things are special, they're all just packets of data getting transferred. You're missing the point. It's not about all Android phones having the hardware inside. My point was that Apple is able to achieve the same effect without having to add that extra hardware. And to me, making creative use of what you already have is a superior implementation because it involves creative problem solving, rather than just purchasing a standard component to solve that problem. Not to mention, it means all phones running iOS 7 would be capable of the feature since its all software and not hardware based.

You already misquoted the requirements for this function to work by saying it would need two phones on the same wifi network to work (when it doesn't require wifi at all). And now you're saying NFC beam can do more than this unannounced feature. Well seeing as Apple hasn't announced iOS7 yet, we don't exactly know what the service is capable of. But it's certainly within capability to do all those other things you just listed. It could be an API for developers, and contacts apps webpages and pictures are all technically data "files" so Airdrop would be able to transfer them as well.

You just saw me say iPhones have been able to wirelessly transfer contacts since 2008 using an app called Bump (and now pictures and videos using that same app), and yet you list contacts as a differentiating point for NFC Beam..........OK, either you didn't read my entire comment, or it went completely over your head.

 

[Ed91]

If Apple implement this rather than an actual files app, then I'll be sad. The way iOS handles inter-app sharing of files is a total mess, and you end up with copies in various states spewed all over, thanks to each app living in its own universe - and if you delete an app, you lose the files. A files library is all it would take to solve this, and would solve so many other issues *cough* file uploads *cough*

 

[tekboi]

The day I can stop emailing myself photos that I take on my iPhone will be a good day.

Use iPhoto to pull the photos from your photo stream to your computer. Literally just drag and drop them to your desktop.

 

[esaruoho]

Use iPhoto to pull the photos from your photo stream to your computer. Literally just drag and drop them to your desktop.

This post of yours, while helpful, works under the assumption that everyone uses Wi-Fi on their iDevice and Mac products.

Not everyone does.

 

[TC03]

If Apple implement this rather than an actual files app, then I'll be sad. The way iOS handles inter-app sharing of files is a total mess, and you end up with copies in various states spewed all over, thanks to each app living in its own universe - and if you delete an app, you lose the files. A files library is all it would take to solve this, and would solve so many other issues *cough* file uploads *cough*

Apple will never implement a file system, get used to it.

 

[lukarak]

Any android phone that has come out since fall 2011 has had NFC built in so that point is moot. Android beam also does more than just files. It can transfer contacts, apps, webpages, pictures, and third party apps can make use of it as well.

It most certainly has not. NFC is still a gimick, and will be until Apple implements it, at which point will become mainstream not only by being built into phones, but having some actual uses. Samsung know that as well, which is why in the meantime they made a copy of Passbook.

Being able to transfer files without having to bump the phones is worlds better.