Android Beam: What Is It?
Smartphones nowadays are equipped with myriad of features like WIFI and Bluetooth capabilities. Aside from this, you can zip files whenever and wherever you are. However, setting up a connection between two smartphones can be daunting. There are even times that you won’t even establish a connection.
To solve this problem, Google has recently launched the Beam to its Android OS. This feature is available to Android-based smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. This capability was first experienced in the Ice Cream Sandwich version of the OS that was released last 2011.
Must Read: Android Phones – Every Android Users Must Know About
Basically, Beam enables any type of proximity-based interaction with Android smartphones. To put it simply, you just need to touch your smartphone to another similar device to transfer files, videos, links, apps, you name it.
Setting Up Android Beam
Setting up Android Beam is easy.
Step 1.
Before anything else, check if your phone has an NFC sensor as it is impossible to set it up without this sensor.
Step 2.
Go over your settings then choose the ‘More’ tab.
Step 3.
You should be directed to the Data Usage tab where the location differs based on the device.
Step 4.
Then you should choose the Wireless & Networks. From there, you must see a toggle for NFC.
Android Beam Basics
As an app by Google, Android Beam uses the latest advancements in NFC technology to allow you to share contents from your phone’s screen directly to the screen of another device by simply holding the devices together.
Here are the things that you can share using Android Beam:
- Web pages
- Interactive Maps
- Photos and Downloadable Images
- Documents
Step 1: NFC Support
Make sure that both devices support NFC before you attempt to transfer data. Ensure that both Android Beam and NFC are enabled on both devices and that each device is running the latest possible version of Android.
Step 2: Open the Content That You Are Going to Share
Once you’ve successfully set up your Android Beam, navigate to the content that you want to share.
Start Beaming the Content
Follow these steps to successfully beam your content:
Step 1.
Ensure that both devices are powered and unlocked
Step 2.
Place the devices back-to-back
Step 3.
Check if there is a sound or vibration that signifies the NFC connection is already established
Step 4.
Tap the screen and wait for the notification to appear that it is Beaming
Step 5.
Wait for the Beam Complete notification to appear and the shared content will appear
Touchbacks for Android Beam
Some devices require you to touch a specific part of the device to the other device.
- For Nexus 7, ensure that the other device touches the near the letter ‘u’ in Nexus.
- If you have HTC One Google Play edition, you should place the HTC logo to the lower part of the device to establish a connection.
Pros of Android Beam:
- Supports all NFC-enabled Android devices
- Works in mobile devices without direct Wi-Fi support
- Requires less configuration compared with S-beam
- Safe to use the NFC
- Power efficient and cost-effective
Cons of Android Beam:
- Only applicable to Android devices
- Data transfer is a bit slow
- Can only send to devices running 4.1 or later
- Photos don’t automatically open after beaming
The Last Word on Android Beam
Android Beam is giving you the chance to seamlessly transfer data from one mobile device to another. So what are you waiting for? Experience Android Beam’s benefits and take you mobile experience to another level.
Next Read: Android File Transfer
Do you still have a question or problem with Android Beam? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll help you out!
