EU Forces Apple to Open AirDrop, Android Gets New Feature
▼ Summary
– Apple added RCS support last year to improve cross-platform texting between iPhones and Android devices.
– Google has updated Android’s Quick Share to support Apple’s AirDrop, enabling direct file sharing between Android and Apple devices.
– This feature is initially limited to the Pixel 10 series, with potential future expansion to more Android devices.
– Quick Share transfers files directly between devices without using company servers, similar to AirDrop’s method.
– Google credits the Rust programming language for enhancing security by preventing memory-related bugs in the implementation.
The ongoing effort to bridge the communication gap between iPhone and Android users takes another step forward, with Google’s Quick Share feature now supporting Apple’s AirDrop protocol. This development promises smoother file sharing for mixed-device households and friend groups, building upon last year’s introduction of RCS messaging which improved cross-platform texting reliability and security.
Android users will find Apple devices appearing in their Quick Share menu when those iPhones have AirDrop activated in the “everyone for 10 minutes” mode. Similarly, compatible Android phones will become visible within the AirDrop interface on Apple devices. This creates a more integrated experience for people who regularly share files across different operating systems.
Initially, this interoperability will be limited to Google’s Pixel 10 series smartphones. The company has expressed intentions to broaden availability to additional Android models but hasn’t provided specific timelines or technical requirements. Google acknowledges current limitations, noting the feature doesn’t work with AirDrop’s default “contacts only” setting, though they’ve indicated willingness to collaborate with Apple to enable this functionality in the future.
Privacy-conscious users will appreciate that file transfers occur directly between devices without routing through company servers. This peer-to-peer approach maintains the security benefits that both platforms have emphasized in their respective sharing technologies.
In a separate technical overview, Google highlighted how Android’s implementation of the memory-safe Rust programming language contributes to secure cross-platform file sharing. According to Google’s VP of Platforms Security and Privacy, Rust’s compiler enforces strict ownership rules that eliminate entire categories of memory-related vulnerabilities. This architectural decision makes the system inherently resistant to attackers attempting to exploit memory errors through manipulated data packets.
(Source: Ars Technica)
