Transfer your calls between devices effortlessly? This is no longer the prerogative of Apple. Google is rolling out its version of Handoff on Android, but with a few surprises.
When we are in the Apple ecosystem, we appreciate lots of little subtleties. An example? Copy and paste between devices. Another example? iCloud integration between devices. Another one? AirDrop, but we have Quick Share on Android now. And… Handoff. In fact, Google is taking inspiration from this function.
The principle is simple: being able to transfer calls and video calls from one device to another without interruption. A feature that Apple users know well, but which was sorely lacking in the Android world. Google decided to fill this void, but with its own approach.
The particularity of Android deployment lies in its distribution method. Unlike traditional system updates, this feature arrives through Google Play Services. So there is no need for a new Android update.
The limits of an assumed copy
While the inspiration is obvious, the Android version of Handoff has some notable differences from its iOS counterpart. The most important concerns the compatible ecosystem: where Apple offers total integration between iPhone, iPad and Mac, Google is currently limiting the function to Android and ChromeOS devices. Windows or macOS users, although numerous, remain on the sidelines.
Not all Android smartphones will be in the same boat. If Samsung and Pixels already benefit from this functionality, its wider deployment seems to follow criteria that are still unclear.
The Nothing Phones are among the first beneficiaries outside the usual circle, but Google has not yet clarified the eligibility conditions for other brands.
For now, we can talk about fragmentation of the Android ecosystem. A recurring problem that this new functionality could paradoxically accentuate.
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