The latest from Meta and WhatsApp copied one of the most popular Apple features, the AirDrop, and it is currently available to test via the beta for iOS versions. In this latest edition of the WhatsApp beta, users may come across a feature called 'Nearby Share,' and it is reportedly the AirDrop copy that delivers a way to send files wirelessly, banking on its end-to-end encryption (E2EE).
Regular feature drops are available on WhatsApp's beta, and this new feature offers a wireless transfer for users, but it is quite different for Apple devices.
Meta's WhatsApp Copied Apple's AirDrop in New Feature
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WABetaInfo released a new report according to their latest spotting on the WhatsApp beta for iOS, with Meta copying Apple's famed AirDrop technology and replicating it in WhatsApp style. This feature is called Nearby Share, a feature that is reminiscent of Google's same-named feature, but was later merged with Samsung's Quick Share, and eventually named as the latter.
The Nearby Share feature of WhatsApp allows a user to send photos, videos, documents, and other types of files via E2EE, taking advantage of one of the app's main features.
This was already available on the Android version, and it detects nearby users who are eligible for the transfer, but for iOS versions, users would need to scan a QR code first to start the process.
The Nearby Share feature is now available on the WhatsApp beta but is only accessible via the TestFlight as it is on internal testing for now.
With this rollout coming in the future, it would enable users to transfer files from Android to iOS or vice versa, without the need for another third-party app.
Notable WhatsApp Beta Features
There is a regular stream of new features introduced by Meta and WhatsApp via the beta, and it looks to test the experiences for users to enjoy on the instant messaging app. A previous one was spotted to deliver generative AI stickers that would be created using the likeness of the user, using their image to create reactions and other types of media to use for the platform.
Moreover, it was also previously spotted on the WhatsApp beta that users may send video replies instead of using only words or phrases to another video sent by their contact. This was spotted on WhatsApp's Android version as part of the latest beta testing drop of the company, enabling a multimedia approach to replying to video messages and returning the favor to them.
Still, one of the top features of WhatsApp is its end-to-end encryption which promises safe and secure messaging amongst contacts, families, friends, and colleagues.
The latest from WhatsApp's beta on iOS is similar to Apple's AirDrop, with Nearby Share now available on TestFlight to experience, with some notable differences from Cupertino's.
