“Apple is currently testing versions of iOS 7 internally that include the AirDrop WiFi-direct file sharing tool from the Mac, according to people familiar with the software,” Mark Gurman reports for 9to5Mac.
“Last year, we reported that Apple was developing an AirDrop tool to take advantage of the new WiFi hardware inside of Apple’s latest iOS devices,” Gurman reports. “Because Apple has postponed the feature before, we believe it is possible that the feature could be pushed back again.”
Gurman reports, “Sources say that the AirDrop functionality is currently integrated into the standard iOS share menu. AirDrop will work between two iOS devices and potentially between an iOS device and a Mac… The AirDrop feature will allow seamless individual file exchanges between iOS devices belonging to different people. Apple launched this functionality between Mac computers in 2011 with OS X Lion.”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Fred Mertz” and “Lynn Weiler” for the heads up.]
This would be very welcome.
But I hate managing files on the phone.
You’re really not supposed to. The app is to do it. 😛
How is this possible when the iPad has no file system accessible to the user?
Rest assured, Apple will show you how it’s possible. And I’ll bet that it’s simplicity will stun you.
Perhaps it will allow app developers to let their apps share files
Or maybe they would restrict it to their own apps such as sending a photo, a contact, a map bookmark, a note, etc
They will probably create an AirDrop app – open it up to see any files that were transferred. From there you can select the file and use the “Open with…” feature that’s already present in iOS.
Where did that apostrophe come from???
That would be awesome. It would also be awesome if there were a generic file storage system: Finder. And the ability to lookup files when attaching them to a website. Then people really could work and do school work on ios devices.
You can use the documents app to access documents on your iphone or iPad.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/documents-free-mobile-office/id306273816?mt=8&uo=4
Cue complaining about how you can’t share music files.
This would be great for sharing maps, contacts, photos, etc. to those who are nearby but aren’t necessarily in your Contacts.
Thank God this is finally coming!