Users will be able to share files to Windows 10 PCs

May 14, 2018 06:58 GMT  ·  By

Nearby Share is a new feature coming to Windows 10 users with the April 2018 Update, and it also appears to be part of Microsoft’s strategy to bring its desktop platform in sync with Android and iOS devices.

In a recent session at the Build developer conference, Microsoft confirmed that Nearby Share would become available for Android and iOS as well, technically enabling users of these two mobile platforms to send files and links to their Windows 10 PCs easily.

Nearby Share allows Windows 10 users to send content to other Windows 10 devices using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth in the close proximity, making the process fully automatic, with just a simple prompt displayed in the lower right corner to authorize the transfer.

Microsoft’s push in Apple’s ecosystem

Once becoming available on mobile devices, similar functionality will be offered as well, though it’s not clear right now how exactly this feature is going to work on Apple’s iPhone. Apple is known as a company that sets a plethora of restrictions on its devices, and while sharing links could indeed be possible via Microsoft Edge, not the same thing can be said about files.

Apple itself is believed to be planning an evolved version of Files, the built-in iOS file manager, in an upcoming release of its mobile operating system, and there’s a chance this update would enable Microsoft to power Nearby Share on the iPhone as well.

There’s no ETA just yet, but Microsoft clearly wants to bring Windows 10 in sync with the world’s two most popular mobile platforms as soon as possible. The company has recently confirmed that one of its priorities is bringing support for iMessage to Windows 10, explaining that it’s willing to work with Apple on making this happen at some point in the future. Apple, however, hasn’t commented on this project.

Nearby Share is projected to expand beyond the Windows ecosystem
Nearby Share is projected to expand beyond the Windows ecosystem

Via MSPU

Photo Gallery (2 Images)

Nearby Share with Android support
Nearby Share is projected to expand beyond the Windows ecosystem
Open gallery