Google announced over the weekend that the Windows version of its Nearby Sharing software is now in beta. Though the release of this software is a really major deal for individuals who have wanted simpler ways to send files back and forth between phones and computers like someone might do using AirDrop with an Apple setup, it was strange timing (being on a weekend).
Previously only capable of sharing files between Android smartphones, Nearby Share can now do the same thing between Android devices and a computer (and maybe Chrome OS). With this update, Google has made basic drag-and-drop sharing available to Windows users on a far larger scale. Nearby Share from a phone or computer may now simply be included into your own work-flow to receive.
For the time being, Google is only making this beta version of Windows available in the US (and slowly spreading it out to a few other locations), thus MacOS users should expect regular complaints and issues. I’ll add my name to the list of Macintosh complainers because, if it were available, I’d use it hundreds of times every day.
I fired up the Windows Computer in the workplace where I also happen to work to test out Nearby Sharing. It functions fairly well and allowed me to quickly send a few files, including a video and photograph, to another device, making them all easily accessible there. Because my Galaxy S23 has Nearby Sharing,
