iPhone Users Can Now AirDrop Files to Android Devices

[MilaM]

So, this is actually more of the same “playing nice with others” Apple’s been doing, particularly with Wi-Fi, for years now, going all the way back to 802.11b.

Delaying the implementation of industry standards by 10 years is an interesting way to "play nice with others" 🙄.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Delaying the implementation of industry standards by 10 years is an interesting way to "play nice with others" 🙄.

Google saw no value in implementing those long standing standards until now, and that’s Apple’s fault? Apple’s busy skating to where the puck will be, they can’t be bothered dragging all of tech with them if they don’t want to go.

I’m just glad that Apple has an interest in making sure the standards are implemented this way.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Google saw no value in implementing those long standing standards until now, and that’s Apple’s fault?

Not sure why you're pretending Google took their sweet time. Android added support for Wi-Fi Aware (Or, Neighbor Awareness Networking) back in Android 8. 8 years ago.

 

[MrSnirf]

Google saw no value in implementing those long standing standards until now, and that’s Apple’s fault? Apple’s busy skating to where the puck will be, they can’t be bothered dragging all of tech with them if they don’t want to go.

I’m just glad that Apple has an interest in making sure the standards are implemented this way.

Say what now?

Google introduce Wifi Direct implementation into Android 4.0 (2011) and Wifi Aware in Android 8.0 (2017). Apple added Wifi Aware in iOS 19 and in iOS 26 opened up the API because they were forced to. AWDL is an Apple proprietary protocol so Apple contributes to these standards to ensure hardware manufacturers like Broadcom, Qualcomm build support into Wifi, Bluetooth chips as they rely on the same hardware features to work even if they are different protocols. Google just reverse engineered support for Airdrop into QuickShare because Apple is being forced by the EU to adopt open standards, similar tactics they used to finally get Apple to adopt RCS.

 

[HazeAndHahmahneez]

Great. Now perhaps they can stop with the blue bubble green bubble nonsense.

Really hope Apple stops this madness…

Great news in general. Phones are supposed to facilitate communication between people - removing barriers to doing that will always be a good thing.

Not if it involves communicating with a nosey-can’t-mind-it’s-own-business android device….

Even if they did, good for them. And with the regulatory pressure Apple is facing, it is unlikely they'll do something about it.

There is NOTHING WRONG with the option to send files to someone else, regardless of what device they choose to use.

Unless that other device is creepy android…and if the communication compromises the security of the iPhone device then that’s even worse…not saying this implementation does that but..,as they say, “better safe than sorry”, no?

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Google just reverse engineered support for Airdrop into QuickShare because Apple is being forced by the EU to adopt open standards, similar tactics they used to finally get Apple to adopt RCS.

That does not change the fact that both Wi-Fi Aware AND Wi-Fi Direct exist, NOT because the EU offered ANY technology at all to the Wi-Fi Alliance, but because Apple did. Sure it took the rest of the industry awhile to get to where they are and, even now, it’s only Google supporting it. But it’s silly to think that Apple had to be FORCED to adopt technology they had a hand in creating! Apple started putting this together in 2015 back with the EU thought microUSB was an awesome idea!

So, Google reverse engineered AirDrop… because Apple is being forced? So, Google just did Apple a solid because now Apple doesn’t have to do anything? Way to go!

Did the EU say “adopt RCS or you can’t sell phones here?” No. They’d never because they NEED the iPhone (and its legions of affluent owners) to continue to purchase digital content in the EU.

Did China say “adopt RCS or you can’t sell phones here?” Yes. When did Apple announce RCS support? Right after China said that they can’t sell 5G iPhones in the region without it. But, sure, Apple did it because of the EU’s something something.

The EU regulators are 100% responsible for Alternate App Stores (that hardly anyone uses), alternate browsers on Apple mobile devices (that no one has created alternate browsers for), ummm, Crowdstrike, and GDPR (which the regulators no longer like). With a track record like that, folks have to toss on things they had no say in to make it seem like EU regulators (successful in driving out all the world class tech companies from the EU) are not woefully incompetent. But, their parade of unintended consequences is bound to continue to march!