Sharing is one of the top experiences available on smart devices, especially with Android, and Google has expanded on that earlier this year, centering on cross-device features that are now available. There are several features available under Android's cross-device features and this includes the likes of Call casting for different apps including Google Meet, as well as Instant Hotspot.
While these are all new and exciting for Android users, Apple gets the last laugh as it is widely available on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac with Handoff.
Google's Android Cross-Device Features Now Available
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The Android 'Cross-device services' are now live on eligible smartphones to access and take advantage of to enable a multi-device experience that allows different kinds of platforms to enjoy a service. According to 9to5Google, there are two main features which are available for this and it includes 'Call casting' and 'Instant hotspot' under Internet sharing.
Notably, these features were originally introduced via Google's blog post about new Android features to enjoy, initially centering on Google Meet calls.
It is noted that not all Android devices are eligible for this and only selected devices may be able to be directed with the call. Additionally, Samsung cannot use Instant hotspot because of its existing auto-hotspot feature.
Android may be getting the cross-device experiences now, but Apple has already made it available to iOS users as early as 2014, with the feature called Handoff previously offering app sharing with the Mac. However, later releases introduced a way to answer calls or messages on different devices, as well as share different settings and pick up other tasks across its ecosystem.
Android's Cross-Device Features
Android has been sharing the smart device's experiences with other platforms before Google widely regarded it as "cross-device," particularly with last year's massive features available on Windows. It was previously called the "Nearby Share" which allows improved file sharing from Android to Windows PCs, and it was later followed by the ability to answer calls, get notifications, access messages, and more on computers.
More features followed Google's development for Android's wide availability to share the experience with other devices, especially with the development for Android 15. The upcoming smartphone operating system that wasrevealed last May talked about a list of new features which include cross-device functionality, first offering it on Google Meet.
Instead of only transferring video calls from the smartphone to other supported devices, Google went a step further in improving the cross-device experience on Android. Now, users may get the chance to answer different types of calls from one device to another, as well as easily share the internet via Android's mobile data with Instant Hotspot.
