Google and Samsung might be merging Nearby Share and Quick Share

There are quite a few methods to share recordsdata between Android telephones, however the most suitable choice is the one which’s already obtainable on each the sender and the receiver gadget. Each Android cellphone with Google apps preinstalled has entry to Close by Share, Google’s peer-to-peer file sharing service. Close by Share isn’t your solely file sharing choice in case you have a Samsung gadget, although, as there’s additionally Fast Share. Regardless that Fast Share is unique to Samsung units, it each predates Close by Share and likewise has some distinctive options that aren’t a part of Google’s providing, which makes it a preferred alternative amongst Samsung customers. Quickly, although, Samsung customers might not have to select and select between Close by Share and Fast Share, as the 2 file sharing companies could possibly be coming underneath the identical umbrella.

Developer and Pixel leaker extraordinaire Kamila Wojciechowska bought her palms on a brand new model of the Google Play Providers app, model 23.50.13. In it, she found quite a few hints that Google is perhaps rebranding Close by Share to Fast Share. These clues have been shared on the leaker’s X profile earlier at this time.

For instance, after initially receiving the replace, she obtained the next notification informing her that “Close by Share is now Fast Share” and to “search for the brand new identify and icon to share with close by units.”

The brand new Fast Share identify is mirrored within the Fast Settings tile, the dialog for discoverability, and the file sharing interface, as proven beneath.

As for the brand new icon, it’s seen in each the notification and the Fast Settings tile proven above, however Kamila additionally shared a close-up of the icon for higher visibility.

Whereas digging via the Play Providers app, Kamila discovered proof of a migration schooling circulation for the brand new Fast Share expertise. This, together with the brand new identify matching Samsung’s current file sharing service, means that the change entails greater than only a easy rebranding. It’s potential that Google and Samsung is perhaps merging their two file sharing companies, or no less than making them interoperable with each other.

If the 2 firms are collaborating with one another, it’s potential that both Samsung applied the Close by library of their Fast Share service to make it appropriate with Close by Share, or the other occurred and Google applied assist for the Fast Share service into Close by Share. In both case, Samsung customers would now not have to fret about by accident deciding on Fast Share after they meant to select Close by Share to share a file with a non-Samsung Android person. There would simply be one choice — Fast Share — that may work with each Samsung and non-Samsung Android units.

Sadly, we don’t have any concrete proof that the 2 companies are literally merging. Nevertheless, given the circumstances, it appears probably. In spite of everything, have been Close by Share to be rebranded to Fast Share with out the 2 companies merging, then that might imply Samsung units would have two “Fast Share” choices to select from within the share sheet. That may solely serve to confuse common customers, lots of whom already aren’t conscious of the distinction between the 2 companies.

We reached out to Google and Samsung for touch upon the potential merger and can replace this text if we hear again. If a merger is certainly taking place, then it’s probably we’ll see an announcement at both CES 2024 subsequent month or the subsequent Galaxy Unpacked occasion, at any time when that’s.