A new mandate from the EU may force Apple to open AirDrop and AirPlay, among other features, to Android and other platforms.

EU regulation has led to Apple being forced to open up iOS in ways that many never expected, but it’s not done just yet. In an effort to ensure “effective interoperability” with other platforms, the EU wants Apple to make native features of iOS being compatible with Android, including the likes of AirDrop and more.

  • viking@infosec.pubEnglish
    168·
    6 days ago

    Is airdrop more than just some random gimmick? All I heard was that people use it to spew memes and dick pics onto unsuspecting passengers in the same subway car and the likes.

    • coronach@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
      13·
      6 days ago

      It’s very, very useful for people to share videos instantly. For instance, someone takes a video at the end of a dance class and then sends it to the teacher for them to post online after. Or two people want to practice something so they record a small thing and send to the other person. It’s seamless and really quick.

      Android users end up having to wait for someone to upload to e.g. Dropbox and then share a link.

      • smeg@feddit.ukEnglish
        31·
        6 days ago

        Couldn’t you just do that with Bluetooth like 20 years ago?

        • coronach@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
          8·
          6 days ago

          You have to pair first. Then you have to troubleshoot because Bluetooth isn’t very good. And then you get slow transfer rates.

          With airdrop you literally open it up, find the person, then drop it. No pairing, no bullshit. It just works and you get on with your life.

        • GenderNeutralBro@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
          4·
          6 days ago

          Even today I don’t know how to share files to or from my Android phone as easily as I can with AirDrop. Bluetooth sharing is slow as balls and requires setup. Is Quick Share better now, or is it just a new name for the same old feature? I haven’t tested it recently myself.

          AirDrop operates over wi-fi with autodiscovery over local networks. No account or pairing required.

      • viking@infosec.pubEnglish
        311·
        6 days ago

        Everybody uses whatsapp, just share to the class group or individual. Never had to use Dropbox for anything.

        • deafboy@lemmy.worldEnglish
          7·
          6 days ago

          Using some server hundreds of kilometers away to send something to the person standing in front of me does not make any sense.

          What’s even more enraging is that phones used to be able to do that until the manufacturers decided to remove the ability and kept replacing it with ever changing inferior alternatives until people rather used whatsapp or dropbox.

    • bokherif@lemmy.worldEnglish
      71·
      6 days ago

      It’s useful when it works. You have alternatives in Android, but come on we’re in 2024, “smart” devices should be able to talk to each other regardless of the operating system.

    • WolfLink@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      3·
      5 days ago

      It’s often the fastest and most convenient method to send a file between two computers or phones (provided both are Apple products).