Android Beam, a feature on the Android smartphone operating system that allowed data to be shared through NFC, quietly faded away after never quite working well, according to ComputerWorld. The feature allowed for short-range sharing of data such as contact details and site bookmarks, but after Google acquired Bump, it became outdated and unreliable compared to other sharing options. The feature was included in a list of “once-trumped features” by the publication in 2017.
FAQ: What Happened to Android Beam?
In the early days of Android smartphones, there was a feature called Android Beam that allowed users to exchange data through NFC. However, this feature has quietly faded away, and users may wonder why it disappeared and what they can use instead.
What is Android Beam?
Android Beam was a feature that allowed users to quickly and easily share data between two Android devices that were held close to each other. It was introduced with the release of Android Ice Cream Sandwich and used NFC technology to transfer data such as contact details, directions, bookmarks, and even YouTube videos.
Why did Android Beam Fade Away?
Despite its initial promise, Android Beam never quite worked as well as it should have, and users found it difficult to use. Furthermore, the rise of alternative technologies like Bluetooth and cloud-based data sharing made Android Beam largely irrelevant.
In 2017, ComputerWorld even included Android Beam in a list of “once-trumpeted features that quietly faded away.” Following Google’s acquisition of Bump, some features of Android Beam were incorporated into Google’s Files Go app, but the standalone feature is no longer supported
What Can Users Use Instead of Android Beam?
Today, there are several convenient ways to share data between Android devices, including:
- Bluetooth: Almost all Android smartphones come with Bluetooth connectivity, and it allows users to easily transfer files, photos or videos between compatible devices.
- Wi-Fi Direct: This technology allows compatible devices to communicate directly without the need for a wireless access point. Users can share large files and even stream video with Wi-Fi Direct.
- Cloud-based services: Services like Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive provide convenient ways to store and share files across multiple devices. This is especially useful for sharing media files or documents with friends, coworkers or family members.
- NFC-enabled apps: Although Android Beam is no longer widely supported, some apps like Samsung’s Smart Switch and Huawei’s Share support NFC-based data sharing.
In total, while Android Beam may have been a neat feature in its time, it has been surpassed by newer and more reliable technologies. However, there are still plenty of ways for Android users to share data quickly and easily between devices.
