Google wants you to easily share files between Android and iOS
As handy as services like AirDrop or Android Beam may be for shuffling content between nearby devices, they’re platform-exclusive. That’s not much help if you want to share photos from your Android phone to an iPhone, or vice versa. However, Google may soon overcome that barrier. Android Police, Techaeris and GigaOM all have evidence of Copresence, a service that would let Android and iOS devices swap content over WiFi. Reportedly, it uses location data (including Bluetooth) to set up the connection; after that, you can send directions, photos and other info without having to either bump devices or rely on cloud storage options like Google Drive or Dropbox. The technique shouldn’t require a Google account, either.
It the details are accurate, Copresence should be available within a matter of weeks. Having said this, you shouldn’t expect a file sharing Utopia. The feature is most likely to be limited to Google apps at first, and it’s probably not going to be a system-wide feature on at least iOS — you may have to be satisfied with exchanging files through a handful of programs. Still, that’s better than the walled-off sharing you likely deal with today.
Filed under: Cellphones, Networking, Internet, Mobile, Google
Source: Android Police, Techaeris, GigaOM
Latest Play Services APK findings show new “Copresence” app is on the way
If a line of code hidden within Google’s latest Play Services APK and pending patents are anything to go by, it certainly looks as if the search engine giant is preparing to release a new mobile communication service, entitled “Copresence,” which should make sharing data between Android and iOS incredibly easy.
This system sounds an awful lot like Android Beam, which made its debut appearance alongside Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) back in October, 2011 and Bump for iOS back in November, 2009. Both of these apps were developed for their own respective operating systems. Copresence, however, is believed to be a cross-platform application and completely contactless.
While Google is still yet to announce or even confirm the existence of its Copresence service, Simon Tucker recently discovered the application in a leaked patent filing and spotted several files linked to the project in the latest Play Services package.
And if that’s not enough proof, Tucker also found several Chrome code review comments referring to an in-house service called “Copresence” that will not require the use of a Google account. He explained all of his findings in an exclusive email to TechAeris — which you can see below.
Google is going to launch a service titled “Copresence” in the coming weeks. The goal of the service will be to allow cross communication between Android and iOS devices through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Location-based data.
I located a large quantity of files referencing the service in the latest Google Play Services APK, including banner images for setup, explanations of how the service works and XML’s defining the layouts of the setup app.
Upon investigation, I noticed that Google already has patents in the works for a service titled “Copresence”, allowing data retrieval from a device using a server and then feeding back relevant data.
There is also numerous Chrome code review comments referring to a service called “Copresence” stating that it will not require a Google account to use, and confirming that it will be in fact multi-platform.
We don’t know for certain if Copresence will come to fruition; only time will tell, but it definitely looks like it’s on its way.
Source: TechAeris
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AT&T adjusts Mobile Share Value plans with increased data
Who loves more data? Everyone! There is good news for customers seeking to get more bang for their buck at AT&T. The carrier is raising the roof on the data allotted to its Mobile Share Value plans that cost $40 and $70. The data offered for $40 is going from 2GB to 3GB while $70 moves from 4GB to 6GB. The changes are going into affect on November 2.
This is all due to carriers making changes across the board. With November here and the holiday season approaching, carriers are doing whatever they can to attract new customers and retain current ones.
More Choice, More Data. AT&T Adds More Data to New Mobile Share Value Plans on the Nation’s Most Reliable 4G LTE Network
DALLAS, OCTOBER 31, 2014 — Beginning Sunday, Nov. 2, AT&T* is enhancing its Mobile Share Value plan portfolio with two new plans**. We’re giving customers more data to share on two of our plans, so now you can get 3GB for $40 a month and 6GB for $70 a month (plus device access charges).
More data to share is a great deal. Let’s check out an example – If you buy a smartphone on AT&T NextSM and sign up for the Mobile Share Value plan with 3GB of data, you’ll pay $65 a month for your wireless service on that smartphone. Sending emails, sharing photos, downloading music, whatever you want to do – there are now more options to find a plan that keeps you connected.
New and existing AT&T consumer and business customers will see great value in these plans, which includes domestic unlimited talk and text, – and the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network***.
Here are the facts:
Monthly Plan Charge
Data
Smartphone Access Charge
$20
300MB
+ $25/mo. per line – w/ AT&T NextSM or no term commitment ($40/mo. w/2-year contract)
also includes
Unlimited Talk & Text
and
Unlimited International Messaging
$25
1GB
$40
Was 2GB
Now 3GB
$70
Was 4GB
Now 6GB
Additionally, AT&T customers can get unlimited international messaging (text, picture and video) on all Mobile Share Value plans for no additional cost. Unlimited international messaging includes messages sent from the U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands to more than 190 countries for text messages and 120 countries for picture & video messages.
With Mobile Share Value plans, eligible customers can choose to purchase a phone with an AT&T NextSM installment agreement with no annual service contract and no down payment. And with AT&T NextSM, qualified customers can get a new smartphone every year.
Mobile Share Value plan customers can additionally bring their own device or purchase a phone at full retail price or on a 2-year wireless agreement. You can also add a tablet for $10 a month.
And for customers who need more data to share, we’ve extended the Double the Data offer on Mobile Share Value plans from 15GB to 50GB until Nov. 15, 2014. For example, new and existing customers who proactively sign-up by November 15 get 30GB of data for the price of 15GB**** – perfect for families and small business customers.
Customers can learn more about the new plans by visiting www.att.com/mobilesharevalue, logging into the myAT&T mobile application, or, for small businesses at att.com/attmobileshare.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
**Mobile Share Value: Pricing is for wireless service only and includes monthly plan charge and monthly access charge per device. Phone purchase costs additional. Other pricing options are available. Other charges and restrictions apply.
***Reliability based on nationwide 4G LTE networks.
**** Sign up by 11/15/14. Offer, pricing, and terms subject to change. Restrictions apply.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best globalwireless coverage, based on offering roaming in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier, and offers the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse®brand. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available athttp://about.att.com or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.
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