Close
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Mobile

    Google Releases API for Offline Peer-To-Peer Android Communications

    By
    Jaikumar Vijayan
    -
    August 2, 2017
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin
      Google Nearby Connections API

      Google this week announced general availability of a new peer-to-peer networking Application Programming Interface (API) that enables Android mobile applications to communicate with nearby devices even when they are offline.

      The Nearby Connections API enables what Google describes as low latency, high-bandwidth fully encrypted P2P data transfers between Android devices that are in close proximity with each other.

      It allows Android apps to detect and connect to nearby devices to exchange data with them regardless of whether the devices are connected to the network or not. The API works on devices running Google Play services version 11.0 and up.

      There are multiple use cases for the technology, according to Google. In a work setting for instance, project team members can share ideas with nearby participants on a common virtual whiteboard.

      Similarly, the API allows Android device users to share pictures, files, videos and other types of data with other devices without the need for network connectivity. In a gaming environment, an individual could use an Android smartphone or tablet as a game controller for playing games on an Android TV.

      In the longer term, the Nearby Connections API could enable other use cases as well. For instance, an Android smartphone user walking into a hotel room could have the device automatically connect with the room’s smart thermostat and set the temperature to the user’s desired setting. Or the device could connect with the TV and automatically serve up the user’s watch list without prompting.

      “The common thread among all these scenarios is being able to detect proximity to—and being able to communicate with—people, places, and things “near” you,” Google product manager Ritesh Nayak announced on the Android Developers blog this week.

      Nearby Connections uses WiFi, Classic Bluetooth and Bluetooth LE to discover, connect to and communicate with nearby devices. “It abstracts away the inherent complexity of these radios by leveraging the strengths of each, while circumventing their respective weaknesses,” Nayak claimed. Nearby Connections switches between the three protocols as needed to ensure that connection bandwidths are optimal when devices communicate with each other.

      Nearby Connections supports two types of connection topologies, Nayak said.  One is a ‘Star’ topology where a central device communicates with other devices—such as a teacher’s tablet in a classroom setting.  The other is a ‘Cluster’ topology that supports the creation of ad-hoc groups of devices, as might be needed when doing real-time collaboration.

      Google worked with several partners in developing the API. One of them is The Weather Channel, which is currently working to see how it can use Nearby Connections to spread warnings during weather related emergencies, Nayak noted.

      Another example is Indian video-streaming platform Hotstar, which is using Nearby Connections technology to enable media sharing in airplanes, public transportation and other areas where there is often little to no Internet connectivity.

      Android TV too is currently working on a remote control application that uses Nearby Connections to make initial device setup easier for users.

      Jaikumar Vijayan
      Vijayan is an award-winning independent journalist and tech content creation specialist covering data security and privacy, business intelligence, big data and data analytics.
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.
      Get the Free Newsletter!
      Subscribe to Daily Tech Insider for top news, trends & analysis
      This email address is invalid.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Latest News

      Zeus Kerravala on Networking: Multicloud, 5G, and...

      James Maguire - December 16, 2022 0
      I spoke with Zeus Kerravala, industry analyst at ZK Research, about the rapid changes in enterprise networking, as tech advances and digital transformation prompt...
      Read more
      Applications

      Datadog President Amit Agarwal on Trends in...

      James Maguire - November 11, 2022 0
      I spoke with Amit Agarwal, President of Datadog, about infrastructure observability, from current trends to key challenges to the future of this rapidly growing...
      Read more
      IT Management

      Intuit’s Nhung Ho on AI for the...

      James Maguire - May 13, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nhung Ho, Vice President of AI at Intuit, about adoption of AI in the small and medium-sized business market, and how...
      Read more
      Applications

      Kyndryl’s Nicolas Sekkaki on Handling AI and...

      James Maguire - November 9, 2022 0
      I spoke with Nicolas Sekkaki, Group Practice Leader for Applications, Data and AI at Kyndryl, about how companies can boost both their AI and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      IGEL CEO Jed Ayres on Edge and...

      James Maguire - June 14, 2022 0
      I spoke with Jed Ayres, CEO of IGEL, about the endpoint sector, and an open source OS for the cloud; we also spoke about...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×