iOS 7 may offer inter-device file transfers via AirDrop: Report

The next iteration of Apple's mobile operating system, iOS 7, could bring some kind of inter-device file transfer, if a new report is to be believed.

According to a new report by 9to5Mac, Apple is extending its AirDrop file transfer feature to iOS devices. The report cites sources to inform that the AirDrop functionality is currently integrated with the standard iOS system-wide share menu in the current test build of the OS. It's worth pointing out that the feature may or may not make it to the final version of the OS when it is previewed at the WWDC conference, next week, as a lot of features are internally tested but dropped from the final release.

If implemented, the feature would allow two iOS device users to transfer and receive files, including pictures and other documents, with each other if both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Currently, files between two iOS devices can be synced via iCloud if both devices are signed-in with the same user credentials. File transfers would also be possible between a Mac and an iOS device.

It's interesting to note that the iPhone 5 and other new Apple devices include new dual-band Wi-Fi hardware that supports Wi-Fi direct and thus content streaming. It was reported that Apple was working on bringing the feature to the OS last year but it abandoned it. So, it's quite possible that the Cupertino-headquartered company has revived its plans to offer this feature.

We're not sure if users will also be able to save certain file types such as music and video files on their devices as iOS doesn't offer direct access to the file system. Android already offers Wi-Fi Direct, allowing peer to peer file transfers. Samsung even offers an advanced version of the same coupled with NFC support on its high-end smartphones. Most Android phones also allow file transfer over Bluetooth, while iOS devices do not offer that functionality.