Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Samsung's Long-Awaited Answer to AirDrop Expected to Arrive Next Month

Shanghaichica said:
Oh look

Click to expand...
Yep WiFi direct is a given for years, but not much use for my scenarios like airdrop don't have much call for that type of sharing

However

Link sharing that's more useful to me

I renamed a file and its extension in file manager to check there is no silly file restrictions and sent the link direct from file manager where the video was using the link app direct to send media, no interest for me

This is handy as I often have to send obscure large files from the server and this method is great via Whatsapp or Line
 
AirDrop is something that has turned out to be so useful for me in scenarios where I wouldn't have considered. On a cruise ship with no cell or wifi? You can still share a large movie file with someone. Out in the wilderness with terrible reception? Your partner can still send you the great photos they just took that you want to have. I love it.

The fact that people can share files without having to even know one piece of info (email, phone number, etc) is also great.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Abazigal, ZZ9pluralZalpha, BlueParadox and 2 others
2010mini said:
Wow... I’ve never had this problem
[automerge]1579870686[/automerge]


You do know Apple copied xerox to create its user interface right?
Click to expand...

The word you are looking for is "licensed". Steve Jobs paid for the privilege of visiting Xerox.

zurb.com

Steve Jobs and Xerox: The Truth About Innovation

We recently wrote that the next big innovation has already been discovered. In fact, it's already 10 or 20 years old. Our job as innovators is to improve the existing old technology into the next big thing. This is the process of innovation: take something that has been discovered and improve it.
zurb.com zurb.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: StyxMaker, Dj64Mk7 and BlueParadox
GabrielMoro said:
AirDrop is still SO unstable. Between two iPhones, between an iPhone and a Mac... Sometimes the device don’t appear, sometimes they do but the transfer never goes through. It’s not very good.
Click to expand...
Between what devices? I used to have HUGE airdrop problems but not anymore. I think part of that is software but it seems to work better with later versions of bluetooth (4.2-). When I do have issues they are really frustrating because it is usually so dependable and there isn't a clear way to troubleshoot problems.
 
AirDrop is amazing, and sorely missing in Android land. I frequently AirDrop raw photos I’m processing from my MacBook Pro to my iPhone to check exposure and color. I AirDrop with my wife, with friends, it’s so fast and effortless, photos/videos are full quality, no internet connection required.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FriendlyMackle and I7guy
I've never really had a need, at least I don't think for Air Drop.

So if no internet is required, why does Apple say to make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on!? Just curious...
 
Airdrop is great technology, unfortunately(or fortunately), unless your work spread between multiple devices you don't use it.

Due to high speed internet, people will just save their files in the cloud and sync instead of sending them back and forth. Those who want to share files with friends will send them over any modern instant messenger or e-mail, or again upload them to the cloud and share a link!
[automerge]1579883819[/automerge]
Wide opeN said:
I've never really had a need, at least I don't think for Air Drop.

So if no internet is required, why does Apple say to make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on!? Just curious...
Click to expand...

I think-not sure-that Airdrop works by creating a private network made of bluetooth+Wifi between one device and the other.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dj64Mk7
yasas said:
It’s time for these companies to create universal solutions..hopefully the new commitments toward smart home compatibilities will bring atleast some sort of user-friendliness. The market is a mess at the moment
Click to expand...
Universal solutions are only good if they work well. I'm still in favor of using Apple's "proprietary" solutions that are so ubiquitous and work so well, they may as well be standard.
 
GabrielMoro said:
AirDrop is still SO unstable. Between two iPhones, between an iPhone and a Mac... Sometimes the device don’t appear, sometimes they do but the transfer never goes through. It’s not very good.
Click to expand...

It used to be a bit shakey in older iOS versions but in iOS 12 & 13 I’ve had zero problems with using it between iPhones and even when I occasionally use it between iPhone and a Mac.

I suppose usage may vary, but it’s been solid for me and as others have said, for them too.
 
GabrielMoro said:
AirDrop is still SO unstable. Between two iPhones, between an iPhone and a Mac... Sometimes the device don’t appear, sometimes they do but the transfer never goes through. It’s not very good.
Click to expand...
I've had some issues with older devices like the 2012 MacBook Air/Pro with older BT hardware or older OSX/iOS versions that wouldn't detect devices, but never had a problem after iOS 11 and upgrading to a 2015 MacBook Pro. Personally AirDrop now works very consistently with my iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other people's Macs/iPhones. It's the reason I've never had to carry a USB drive with me for the past 3 years. If you haven't tried it in some time maybe try it again to see if the updates fixes it for you.
[automerge]1579887445[/automerge]
Daniel James said:
I’m positive that Galaxy phones had this ages ago. It was quite gimmicky though as you had to hold the two phones back to back for it to transfer. Suffice to say it obviously wasn’t as good as when Apple later released AirDrop.

Once again Apple’s late to market but solid features beat Samsung’s quick to market rubbish.

🤣
Click to expand...

Yep. I remember the NFC file transfer ads from the Galaxy S3(?) days. Apple even made fun of it during iOS 7's launch when they announced airdrop for iPhones.
[automerge]1579887584[/automerge]
Wide opeN said:
I've never really had a need, at least I don't think for Air Drop.

So if no internet is required, why does Apple say to make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on!? Just curious...
Click to expand...

The Wifi and Bluetooth is for setting a local network that connects two devices together file the file transfer, probably somewhat similar to personal hotspots work.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FriendlyMackle
Doing an AirDrop-type thing securely is actually quite hard. There's WiFi Direct, but that's only one part of the problem.

The big problem is really security: limiting access to the WiFi direct connection to your contacts. It assumes that you have a way of actually identifying contacts, which is surprisingly hard. How do you know that "Joan Smith" on phone A is the same "Joan Smith" as on phone B?

You have to be able to do that without sending any identifiable data from phone B to phone A and vice-versa. If you didn't you could, say, pull all the contacts from phone A "because you're checking to see if they're the same on my phone."

That has to happen after the connection is up. But how do you create a secure connection before you know you're allowed to create a connection? And with AirDrop anyone can AirDrop you at any time (if you allow it). That means that's happening continuously, which if you don't do it right is going to suck a whole lot of power out of your phone.

I'm not sure Samsung can do all that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dj64Mk7
Wide opeN said:
I've never really had a need, at least I don't think for Air Drop.

So if no internet is required, why does Apple say to make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on!? Just curious...
Click to expand...

From what I understand the Bluetooth is for the two devices to find each other and then it sets up a private WiFi network between the two devices.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wide opeN
Samsung aside, I can’t tell you how much I actually use Airdrop. It’s an amazing little feature that’s works like magic Versus having to send something with like a work attachment/photos via email. I think AirDrop is one of those hidden little features that really makes you appreciate the simplicity of what it offers, and the fact that Samsung will offer their version, should be interesting to see how it compares.
 
  • Like
Reactions: I7guy
SteveJUAE said:
I guess a bit of fun amongst friends else no big deal

Hope its not file restricted on Android then it may have other uses over IOS
Click to expand...

A cross platform solution exists and it’s awesome, no file restrictions: Snapdrop.net
[automerge]1579965446[/automerge]
dave070 said:
I agree a universal solution would be nice but unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Click to expand...

A cross platform solution exists and it’s awesome, no install needed: Snapdrop.net
[automerge]1579965542[/automerge]
MisterSavage said:
AirDrop is something that has turned out to be so useful for me in scenarios where I wouldn't have considered. On a cruise ship with no cell or wifi? You can still share a large movie file with someone. Out in the wilderness with terrible reception? Your partner can still send you the great photos they just took that you want to have. I love it.

The fact that people can share files without having to even know one piece of info (email, phone number, etc) is also great.
Click to expand...


A cross platform solution exists and it’s awesome, no install needed: Snapdrop.net
[automerge]1579965730[/automerge]
dave070 said:
I agree a universal solution would be nice but unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Click to expand...

A cross platform solution exists and it’s awesome, no install needed: Snapdrop.net
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back