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WhatsApp Developing Offline File Sharing Similar To AirDrop
The new beta feature for iOS and Android will be called Nearby Share, and allows users to share files offline with nearby devices.
Popular messaging platform WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will significantly improve the way users share files. According to WABetaInfo, the upcoming file-sharing update will allow users to send documents, photos, videos, and other files to nearby devices without needing an internet connection. The feature will be available for both Android and iOS devices, though both versions are currently still in beta.
WABetaInfo’s report included an image showing a scanner interface that will facilitate the sharing of various file types. The new feature, named Nearby Share, will function similarly to Apple’s AirDrop, with the iOS version using a QR code for file sharing and Android devices also utilizing proximity detection technology.
The introduction of offline file sharing is a significant step forward for WhatsApp, and especially helpful for users in areas with patchy internet access. Nearby Share will be particularly useful for transferring large files, such as high-resolution images, videos, and important documents.
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Eventually, the new feature is expected to be compatible with most operating systems, regardless of device type. Additionally, the transfers will be end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that only the intended recipients can access the shared data, helping to maintain user privacy and security.
It’s important to note that Nearby Share is still in its early stages. As the development continues, the final product may see changes or improvements from the current beta version. It is also possible that the iOS version may eventually adopt functionality similar to the Android one, relying on proximity detection instead of QR code scanning.
News
UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
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The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.