Earlier this year, at Google I/O 2019,
Android Beam, a way of sharing files between Android-powered smartphones
(via NFC - near-field communications). This NFC method simply allowed
you to place your phones back and back and move photos, videos, whatever
from one user to another. When Android Q was announced, Android Beam
died, according to TechRadar.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA - MAY 07:
Alexander Hunter demonstrates the new Nest Hub Max during the 2019
Google I/O conference at Shoreline Amphitheatre on May 07, 2019 in
Mountain View, California. Google CEO Sundar Pichai delivered the
opening
Getty Images
Of course, hardly anyone used Android Beam, but like any feature, it
had its fans. Sharing files between phones is something that Apple
iPhone users have had for ages: AirDrop. It is a well-loved method, too,
that Android users can only wait for.In a scoop from 9to5Google.com, Google working on 'Fast Share' to replace Android Beam, “Google appears to be working on a new and simple way to share files between a variety of devices, including Android and Chromebooks. Today, we tried to "share" Android fully and it works like that. "Sharing"
I have to say I am always impressed with users who see something that is not always full released to the public and find a way to enable it, test it out, and show the rest of us a new hack, or how-to tip, that makes life better. Fast Share appears to be quite similar to Apple’s AirDrop on iOS and Mac.
I uncovered this news because I was looking for a file transfer app. I found a well-rated app on the Google Play store: Files by Google. But in that search, there was the above-linked story showing a new app or tool might be available soon. I still wanted to test out the app.
Google Files is an application that supports you:
The app very quickly and automatically tells you how it can clean
your system, moving photos, videos, and downloaded files to the cloud
(if you select those options). You can do that process manually as well.
It shows you much free space is left on your phone and SD card. Transfer documents to a SD chip to secure the space of your phone from the software.
If another Android user has the Files by Google app, and is nearby, you can share files with a few clicks. Pretty nifty. It claims to do it at great speeds, too; up to 480 Mbps. Plus it works without the internet, so it doesn’t use mobile data.
While we wait for the new “Fast Share” from Google, you can also check out the other highly rated fast file transfer app called Send Anywhere. A number of reviewers (on the Play Store) stated they used it to transfer data between an old phone and a new phone. That seems like a great use of the app.
Hat Tip: TechRadar Android Beam post.
If another Android user has the Files by Google app, and is nearby, you can share files with a few clicks. Pretty nifty. It claims to do it at great speeds, too; up to 480 Mbps. Plus it works without the internet, so it doesn’t use mobile data.
While we wait for the new “Fast Share” from Google, you can also check out the other highly rated fast file transfer app called Send Anywhere. A number of reviewers (on the Play Store) stated they used it to transfer data between an old phone and a new phone. That seems like a great use of the app.
Hat Tip: TechRadar Android Beam post.