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The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if Google simply wants to maximize the use of their servers here (independent of what users want/need): 1. P2P doesn’t gi
by electrograv 8y ago
The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if Google simply wants to maximize the use of their servers here (independent of what users want/need):
1. P2P doesn’t give Google all that juicy mineable data that they get when everything you do makes round trips through their servers.
2. This would also implicitly encourage Android users to rely more on services like Google Drive/Docs for all files, which is good for them.
Edit: Apparently it is disputed that iOS has superior P2P file transfer support vs Android (see reply below), so perhaps all this is a moot point. I was assuming the truth of the parent post, and didn’t realize it was contentious; and since I’m not an Android or iOS expert, I can’t really argue that topic either way.
- skrowl 8y agoIn addition to NUMEROUS 3rd party tools, Google already provides a tool exactly like AirDrop for Android. It's a feature of the Files app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.nbu.files https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.and... which has over 100M installs. Look at the 3rd screenshot. ENCRYPTED FILE SHARING Files’s offline file sharing is secured with WPA2 encryption, providing a more secure file transfer. Files app uses Bluetooth to set up encrypted and direct fast wifi connection, so that you can transfer app APK or large files in seconds, send videos or pictures to your friends. Safe and secure. SHARE FILES OFFLINE Share your pictures, videos, documents, or apps with others nearby who also have the app. With fast speed up to 480 Mbps, it’s fast, free, and it works without the internet, so it doesn’t cost mobile data. Just pair up your phone with anyone nearby who has Files app.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- millstone 8y agoDoes Files actually allow transfer with desktops or laptops? It sounds like it only transfers between Android devices.
- runn1ng 8y agoApparently only Android - Android (and maybe ChromeOS, since that can run Android apps)
- novaRom 8y agoYou can only share files "with others nearby who also have the app".
- skrowl 8y agoIt's not really necessary on a desktop or laptop., Unlike an iPhone, all you have to do to transfer to a desktop is plug in a USB cable. After that, you select to share your storage with the PC on your android phone and you can operate on it as if it were a USB drive or a digital camera. On an iPhone you have to install iTunes, log on, jump through a bunch of hoops, and then you only get access to a fraction of the phone's filesystem anyway.
- omouse 8y agoInteresting! Also, is this free/open source?
- kevin_thibedeau 8y agoGoogle Files doesn't work with location services turned off. Because, you know, that's oh so critical for transferring data over the internet.