Microsoft brings Nearby Share feature to Android and iOS

Microsoft showed in a demonstration that the Nearby Share function can also be used to share files or information from an Android or iOS smartphone to a Windows 10 computer. The function currently only works between computers.

The information was shared by MSPoweruser, who caught it during a session at Microsoft’s Build 2018 conference. During the session, Microsoft demonstrated how a user can send information to a Windows 10 computer from an Android device.

To take advantage of the feature, an app developer must integrate the Project Rome SDK into their app. This is possible with both Android and iOS. Microsoft has not confirmed whether the feature will ever become one of the integrated sharing features of Android or iOS. It is also not known whether it will also be possible to send information from a Windows 10 computer to a phone.

Nearby Share made its appearance in the recently released April 2018 update. The function makes it possible to exchange files and information between two computers that are close to each other. The connection runs over Bluetooth or the local network. The feature is similar to Apple AirDrop.