Latest news with #Handoff
Phone Arena
16 hours ago
- Phone Arena
You might soon be able to do this across all your Android devices—just like Apple users can
A recent teardown of Google Play Services has revealed that Android users might soon get a feature that has been missing for a long time: a cross-device sync system similar to Apple's Handoff. The feature, unsurprisingly labeled "Handoff" in new code strings, might be part of Google's broader push to make its ecosystem work better across multiple devices. According to a new report, Google Play Services version 25.25.31 beta includes several new feature strings. These strings mention the ability to "continue tasks and access apps, media, and notifications across your devices," "sync notifications across your devices," and "access your files across your devices." This hints at a system that would let users move between Android devices more easily while keeping apps and content in sync. Earlier reports had already pointed to a feature called "App Cast," which would allow users to stream apps from one device to another. It now looks like App Cast will be part of this new Handoff system. If fully released, this could allow Android users to start a task on their phone and pick it up later on a tablet, Chromebook, or another device linked to their Google account. Apple already offers this kind of experience through its Continuity system. Samsung has a similar setup across its Galaxy products. Android users, on the other hand, often have to rely on third-party apps or brand-specific solutions, which don't always work well together. A built-in Handoff feature could make Android devices feel more connected and easier to use as a group. The Apple ecosystem has enjoyed continuity features for many years now. | Image credit — Apple One of the more useful additions is notification syncing. Right now, notifications dismissed on one Android device usually still show up on others. This can get frustrating, especially for users who switch between devices during the day. With Handoff, notifications could sync properly across devices, so users only have to deal with them once. The update also includes features for sharing files and media between devices. Google has not officially announced Handoff, so it's unclear when it might roll out or if it will be available on all Android devices. Since it is part of Google Play Services, there is a good chance that many devices could eventually support it. Apple and Samsung users have had this kind of feature for years, so it's good to see Google working on something similar. I believe this is a step in the right direction for Android's ecosystem. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Phone Arena
21 hours ago
- Phone Arena
Google might be cooking up something that'll feel oddly familiar to iPhone users
Google seems to be working on a new ecosystem feature that could finally bring true cross-device syncing to Android. Android's answer to Handoff is getting closer to reality The back-and-forth between Android and iOS is nothing new and this time, it is Google's turn to borrow an idea from Apple. According to a new report, Google is working on a feature similar to Apple's Handoff – and it could be available across all Android phones that have Google Play Services. The updated feature is designed for syncing across multiple Android devices, letting you do more than just share files. You will reportedly be able to sync notifications between devices (yes, finally beyond just Pixel and Galaxy phones), share media and even access apps from your primary device remotely on your other Android devices. If this sounds familiar, it is because Apple users already have something similar called Handoff. It allows tasks started in compatible apps to be picked up on another Apple device, as long as everything is signed in to the same iCloud account. Samsung has also done something like this with its own App Continuity setup, allowing file sharing, call answering, hotspot toggling and more between Galaxy devices. That said, the rollout for such a feature on Android is naturally slower. Unlike iOS, which only runs on Apple devices, Android has to work across tons of different brands, so tweaking cross-device features to fit them all takes a bit longer. Cross-device syncing could finally go Android-wide Google Play Services v25.25.31 beta includes the code hinting at the Handoff feature. | Image credit – Android Authority Evidence for the new Handoff feature was found in Google Play Services, which is a big deal – because it means this could be an Android-wide feature, not just something limited to Pixels or Samsung phones. If Google gets this right, the feature could, in theory, let you link a OnePlus phone, a Samsung tablet and a Pixel Watch and have them all work together – regardless of brand. Notifications, apps, media and files might all sync across your devices without needing to stay locked into one company's ecosystem. I say in theory because, of course, it is still early days, and we will have to see exactly how this all works once it officially rolls out. And if it does roll out, because Google has a history of testing features that don't quite hit the mark and ending up scrapping them. However, I am pretty sure this one won't be one of those. This is the kind of upgrade Android really needs I think features like Handoff are the kind of quality-of-life upgrades we should be seeing more often from big tech – not just another wave of flashy AI features, which have been dominating the conversation for well over a year now. And Google is actually in a good position to make that happen – it is behind Android, after all, the OS powering around 70% of smartphones globally. And to be fair, the company is clearly working on making Android better in real, everyday ways. And with Apple recently announcing iOS 26 – filled with subtle but very welcome quality-of-life improvements – it makes total sense that Google would want to highlight its own upgrades. This is a smart moment to remind users that Android is moving forward, too. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Android Authority
a day ago
- Android Authority
Google's answer to Apple's Handoff is coming with a welcome upgrade for Android (APK teardown)
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority TL;DR Google is working on an Android-wide 'Handoff' feature for multi-device syncing. This feature will enable access to apps and media across your devices, and even sync notifications between them. Apple has a similar Continuity feature called Handoff, albeit without notification syncing. Last week, we spotted an in-development 'App Cast' tool within Google Play Services. Based on the strings, we speculated that Google could allow Android devices to stream apps installed on other hardware linked to your account. It seems Google has bigger plans for App Cast, as it could be one of the tools present in Android's version of Handoff. Yes, Google seems to be working on Android's own version of Handoff. Authority Insights story on Android Authority. Discover You're reading anstory on Android Authority. Discover Authority Insights for more exclusive reports, app teardowns, leaks, and in-depth tech coverage you won't find anywhere else. An APK teardown helps predict features that may arrive on a service in the future based on work-in-progress code. However, it is possible that such predicted features may not make it to a public release. Google Play Services v25.25.31 beta includes these new strings: Code Copy Text Continue tasks and access apps, media, and notifications across your devices Handoff Sync notifications across your devices Notifications Access your files across your devices Files & media sharing As you can see, the App Cast feature is tied to the upcoming 'Handoff' feature. The strings explain that this ecosystem feature is intended for multi-device syncing, letting users access apps, media, and notifications across devices. As is explicitly mentioned, your notifications will be synced across your devices (finally!), and you will also be able to share files and media between them. We know from the previous APK teardown that you will also be able to access your apps on your primary device remotely on your other devices. Handoff sounds familiar? Well, Apple has a similar Continuity feature called Handoff. Users can start a task on compatible apps on one Apple device and resume the task on a different Apple device, as long as both devices are signed into iCloud using the same Apple account. Samsung also has an App Continuity feature that lets you share and transfer files, answer calls, connect earbuds, enable hotspots, and more across your connected Galaxy devices. It's very clear where Google is getting its inspiration for the Handoff feature. Thankfully, the Google Play Services version of Handoff will also sync notifications, which is a big pain point for multi-device ecosystem users as users end up having to clear actioned notifications across multiple devices. We've previously spotted the notification syncing feature, but at the time, it wasn't very clear whether the feature would be a Pixel-exclusive or be coming to all Android devices. With these new strings now being spotted in Google Play Services under the Handoff umbrella, this is likely an Android-wide feature, as long as you have Google Play Services. Google has yet to announce anything related to Android's Handoff feature. We'll keep you updated when we learn more. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Phone Arena
22-05-2025
- Phone Arena
Microsoft's cooking up Apple-style Handoff – and your Windows 11 laptop is invited
Image Credit - Rui Silvestre on Unsplash Microsoft is now working on a new feature coming soon to Windows 11, something that Mac users have been enjoying for quite some time... It seems that Windows will allow developers to implement a "Cross Device Resume" feature, very similar to Apple's "Handoff" between a Mac and an iPhone. Basically, Apple's Handoff feature lets apps sync between both devices so you can continue where you left off when you move to your iPhone or Mac. During a Build 2025 session, Microsoft revealed a feature called "Create Seamless Cross-Device Experiences with Windows for your app". The session was later edited and the demo showcasing the "Cross Device Resume" feature was deleted. But of course, once on the Internet, forever on the Internet, and an X user was able to take a snapshot of the session before its editing. Taskbar hover card UI used for the upcoming taskbar recommendations feature + Resume on taskbar, w/ Spotify support, in Windows 11 (taken from a pre-recorded Build session*) — phantomofearth (@phantomofearth) May 20, 2025 In that deleted demo, Microsoft showed Spotify as an app that can take advantage of the Cross-Device Resume. The demo shows an Android phone playing a song in Spotify, while on the Windows machine, the Spotify app appears in the Taskbar with a phone icon next to it. Almost exactly how Apple's Handoff appears. And just like Apple's feature, if you hover over the icon on your taskbar, it will show that the Spotify app is open on your phone. When you click on it, the Spotify app will open on Windows, and understandably, it will bring you to the same place you were on the phone. The song should continue playing from the exact moment you open the app on your PC for a continuous experience. During the demo, Microsoft showed Spotify, but reportedly, WhatsApp will also be able to take advantage of the feature. Also, third-party app developers can integrate it, which, according to Microsoft, will also help app developers popularize their apps on Windows. It's worth noting that this isn't the first time Microsoft has shown a feature like Handoff. In 2020, Microsoft announced Project Rome, which is a tool letting developers sync app data between Windows laptops and PCs on one hand, and phones on the other. This new feature may be a replacement for Project Rome.
Business Wire
19-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Handoff Releases Major Upgrades: AI Project Management + Faster Payments
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Handoff, the leading AI-first estimating software for thousands of construction businesses, released new project management AI agents designed to automate tedious back-office tasks. Handoff expands its suite of AI-native tools for residential construction businesses and is now the fastest and cheapest software for contractors to get paid. Share The new Projects feature transforms Handoff from an estimating tool into a full project management solution for residential construction businesses. Contractors can now group all job-related documents—including estimates, proposals, invoices, change orders, and client details—and let Handoff's AI handle the heavy lifting. As part of this release, Handoff also rebuilt its payment processing engine to lower costs and speed up deposits. These updates make Handoff the most cost-effective solution for client invoicing—putting more money back into contractors' pockets, faster. 'We built Handoff for the people who keep America's homes running—contractors, remodelers, and handymen who don't have time to waste on admin work,' said Dmitry Alexin, Founder and CEO. 'With Projects and our new payments engine, we're putting more time and money back in our users' hands and helping them grow their businesses.' Key features of the latest Handoff update include: All-in-one project management - use AI agents to manage estimates, proposals, change orders, and invoices, all in one place. AI change orders - Handoff is the only platform that can generate change orders with AI. New payment processing system - Handoff now offers contractors the cheapest and fastest way to process client payments. Upcoming features include photo-based AI estimating, automated materials purchasing, and enhanced CRM tools. To learn more about how residential contractors can scale their businesses with AI, visit: About Handoff Using generative AI technology and real-time, localized construction databases, Handoff provides remodelers with a fast and accurate way to create construction cost estimates in seconds. Over 40K contractors have used Handoff to create instant construction estimates and automate their business operations with AI. Founded in 2019, Handoff's parent company, 1build, has raised over $25M in funding from renowned investors and construction leaders like Initialized, Greycroft, Y Combinator, and Masco Ventures.
