4 ms·

Am I right to assume that they simply implemented AirDrop without discussing with Apple?

jhogervorst 11mo ago
I was wondering the same. Looking at the statements in the posts, I think so?
do_not_redeem 11mo ago
Reading between the lines, it seems like Google is playing a bit of chess here. Reminds me of the Beeper Mini stunt, except this time by a trillion-dollar company they can't just sweep under the rug. > we welcome the opportunity to work with Apple to enable “Contacts Only” mode in the future. > I applaud the effort to open more secure information sharing between platforms and encourage Google and Apple to work together more on this. Your move, Apple.
- GeekyBear 11mo ago
  I am reminded of Microsoft implementing a YouTube app for Windows Phone, and Google repeatedly blocking it.
  - wiseowise 11mo ago
    Because Google is an underdog here. In your memory Google is Microsoft and Apple is Google.
- somanyphotons 11mo ago
  I think Apple will be ok with this, it clearly shows Android being less capable/compatible than other iPhones, a bit like blue/green bubbles
- thewebguyd 11mo ago
  That's how it reads to me. They made a big deal during the Pixel 10 launch to talk about Apple/iOS features, and switching from iPhone to Pixel. They called the blue/green bubbles childish, and they put Magasafe in the Pixel and explicitly said "you can use all your Apple accessories." Google is going hard after iPhone users by trying to punch holes in Apple's walled garden anytime they can. AirDrop is another hole in the wall, as was Magsafe, and RCS. If Google can get other AWDL features working between macOS and Android, particularly universal clipboard and universal control, I'd seriously consider switching back to Android after many, many years on iOS purely for the ecosystem integration. iMessage doesn't bother me, but I use AirDrop, AirPods auto switching on calls, and universal clipboard daily and those are all blockers for my considering a switch.
rescbr 11mo ago
I remember reading somewhere Apple had/has to make AirDrop interoperable due to EU's DMA.
- raw_anon_1111 11mo ago
  Well since absolutely no one buys Pixeld to a first approximation and mostly in the US. Looking at different sites it’s from 3-6% marketshare. I doubt this was done for the DMA.
  - input_sh 11mo ago
    > Developers will be able to integrate alternative solutions to Apple’s AirDrop and AirPlay services on the iPhone. As a result, iPhone users will be able to choose from different and innovative services to share files with other users and cast media content from their iPhones to TVs. https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/questions-and-answers/interoperability_en#benefits-for-business-and-end-users https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/questions-and-answe...
    - raw_anon_1111 11mo ago
      You realize that doesn’t say what you think it says in your own quote of the citation? Apple has to allow alternate solutions on the iPhone - not that they have to allow AirDrop interoperability.
      - concinds 11mo ago
        That's a different thing, but the EU did force Apple to implement Wi-Fi Aware which is what allows Google to do this.
        gumby271 11mo ago
        But this works with the existing airdrop client on the iOS side right? Did Apple change airdrop to use wifi aware, and now Google can build the airdrop protocol on Android?
trollbridge 11mo ago
And if Google does this as well as the RCS rollout, I can look forward to attempts to use AirDrop to send me viruses and other spammy junk.
- thewebguyd 11mo ago
  AirDrop & QuickShare are "contacts only" by default. You have to explicitly enable "receive from anyone" and it's only active for 10 minutes. The old days of being able to AirDrop something to everyone on a plane because it was set to "everyone" by default are over.
- Nextgrid 11mo ago
  If it was profitable to spam bad things using AirDrop, bad guys would just buy iPhones and use them to spam. No alternative implementations necessary.
standardUser 11mo ago
Key quote from The Verge article: When we asked Google whether it developed this feature with or without Apple’s involvement, Moriconi confirmed it was not a collab. “We accomplished this through our own implementation,” he tells The Verge. “Our implementation was thoroughly vetted by our own privacy and security teams, and we also engaged a third party security firm to pentest the solution.” Google didn’t exactly answer our question when we asked how the company anticipated Apple responding to the development; Moriconi only says that “…we always welcome collaboration opportunities to address interoperability issues between iOS and Android.” https://www.theverge.com/news/825228/iphone-airdrop-android-quick-share-pixel-10 https://www.theverge.com/news/825228/iphone-airdrop-android-...
Krasnol 11mo ago
You're right. There is a different article with a comment by google here: https://www.theverge.com/news/825228/iphone-airdrop-android-quick-share-pixel-10 https://www.theverge.com/news/825228/iphone-airdrop-android-... > Update, November 20th: Added a quote from a Google spokesperson confirming that Apple was not involved in the development of this feature.
geraldhh 10mo ago
no

I was wondering the same. Looking at the statements in the posts, I think so?

Reading between the lines, it seems like Google is playing a bit of chess here. Reminds me of the Beeper Mini stunt, except this time by a trillion-dollar company they can't just sweep under the rug. > we welcome the opportunity to work with Apple to enable “Contacts Only” mode in the future. > I applaud the effort to open more secure information sharing between platforms and encourage Google and Apple to work together more on this. Your move, Apple.

GeekyBear 11mo ago
I am reminded of Microsoft implementing a YouTube app for Windows Phone, and Google repeatedly blocking it.
- wiseowise 11mo ago
  Because Google is an underdog here. In your memory Google is Microsoft and Apple is Google.
somanyphotons 11mo ago
I think Apple will be ok with this, it clearly shows Android being less capable/compatible than other iPhones, a bit like blue/green bubbles
thewebguyd 11mo ago
That's how it reads to me. They made a big deal during the Pixel 10 launch to talk about Apple/iOS features, and switching from iPhone to Pixel. They called the blue/green bubbles childish, and they put Magasafe in the Pixel and explicitly said "you can use all your Apple accessories." Google is going hard after iPhone users by trying to punch holes in Apple's walled garden anytime they can. AirDrop is another hole in the wall, as was Magsafe, and RCS. If Google can get other AWDL features working between macOS and Android, particularly universal clipboard and universal control, I'd seriously consider switching back to Android after many, many years on iOS purely for the ecosystem integration. iMessage doesn't bother me, but I use AirDrop, AirPods auto switching on calls, and universal clipboard daily and those are all blockers for my considering a switch.

rescbr 11mo ago

I remember reading somewhere Apple had/has to make AirDrop interoperable due to EU's DMA.

raw_anon_1111 11mo ago
Well since absolutely no one buys Pixeld to a first approximation and mostly in the US. Looking at different sites it’s from 3-6% marketshare. I doubt this was done for the DMA.
- input_sh 11mo ago
  > Developers will be able to integrate alternative solutions to Apple’s AirDrop and AirPlay services on the iPhone. As a result, iPhone users will be able to choose from different and innovative services to share files with other users and cast media content from their iPhones to TVs. https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/questions-and-answers/interoperability_en#benefits-for-business-and-end-users https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/questions-and-answe...
  - raw_anon_1111 11mo ago
    You realize that doesn’t say what you think it says in your own quote of the citation? Apple has to allow alternate solutions on the iPhone - not that they have to allow AirDrop interoperability.
    - concinds 11mo ago
      That's a different thing, but the EU did force Apple to implement Wi-Fi Aware which is what allows Google to do this.
      - gumby271 11mo ago
        But this works with the existing airdrop client on the iOS side right? Did Apple change airdrop to use wifi aware, and now Google can build the airdrop protocol on Android?

trollbridge 11mo ago

And if Google does this as well as the RCS rollout, I can look forward to attempts to use AirDrop to send me viruses and other spammy junk.

thewebguyd 11mo ago
AirDrop & QuickShare are "contacts only" by default. You have to explicitly enable "receive from anyone" and it's only active for 10 minutes. The old days of being able to AirDrop something to everyone on a plane because it was set to "everyone" by default are over.
Nextgrid 11mo ago
If it was profitable to spam bad things using AirDrop, bad guys would just buy iPhones and use them to spam. No alternative implementations necessary.

standardUser 11mo ago

Key quote from The Verge article: When we asked Google whether it developed this feature with or without Apple’s involvement, Moriconi confirmed it was not a collab. “We accomplished this through our own implementation,” he tells The Verge. “Our implementation was thoroughly vetted by our own privacy and security teams, and we also engaged a third party security firm to pentest the solution.” Google didn’t exactly answer our question when we asked how the company anticipated Apple responding to the development; Moriconi only says that “…we always welcome collaboration opportunities to address interoperability issues between iOS and Android.” https://www.theverge.com/news/825228/iphone-airdrop-android-quick-share-pixel-10 https://www.theverge.com/news/825228/iphone-airdrop-android-...

Krasnol 11mo ago

You're right. There is a different article with a comment by google here: https://www.theverge.com/news/825228/iphone-airdrop-android-quick-share-pixel-10 https://www.theverge.com/news/825228/iphone-airdrop-android-... > Update, November 20th: Added a quote from a Google spokesperson confirming that Apple was not involved in the development of this feature.

geraldhh 10mo ago