iOS: Integrated file sharing on a simple touch on Behance

Touch Sharing
Touch Sharing is a concept that demonstrates a simple form of file sharing integrated into iOS devices. When two iPhones or iPads touch, they both “pair” and are ready to share files such as photos or contacts. Files go from app to app directly - so your photos go from camera roll to camera roll, and contacts go straight to contacts app.

Touch Sharing concept explained

The story goes like this ☛ In the beginning of March 2012 we made a concept of a simple file sharing for iOS - The idea was that when two devices touch, magnetic switch (similar to one on the iPad smart cover) would wake up the Bluetooth and pair devices. Once paired, files could be transferred from app to app.

The whole idea came quite naturally since sending files goes mostly via Skype, Dropbox, Email, iCloud etc. These platforms are fine for large distances, but not so much when you want to send a photo, or a contact to a person next to you. This area of a simple file sharing without the need to upload and download it back again was quite unsupported.

We are big fans of many Apple products therefore we created this concept for iOS devices.

In the beginings, first thing we figured out was how magnet switch with Bluetooth could pair the correct devices together (in case you are in a conference where hundreds of devices with Bluetooth were to pair at the same time).

Next we designed the User Interface to be integrated into iOS. We added features that would simplify the user flow like highlighting supported apps, and lock screen avatar for quick sharing. (see video above)

We have seen massive potential of technology that would enable interaction on touch. Not just for photos, or contacts, but also for contactless payments apps, gaming apps, etc. We believe that this market is just about to open up.

NFC
As we were going along, we learned about the NFC technology. It was obvious that NFC would perfectly fit as a substitute for the magnetic switch we had originally suggested for activation and pairing.

Bump
We have also found out about the app called Bump (already successfully running service). This was end of March. (We have heard of Bump before, but didn’t get to use it) We realized that these guys were doing a very similar stuff and had 40mil downloads at that time, which made us happy as it proved that there indeed is a market for such a product. However, there were some important differences. Touch sharing:

was integrated into iOS (not an app)

worked offline

was also few taps quicker (see video for more)

Wi-Fi Direct
When Samsung released its Nexus and Galaxy S III we understood that Wi-Fi Direct might be great alternative to Bluetooth. It is also very likely that iPhone5 (to be out in Sept. 2012) will support NFC. Combination of those two technologies might work perfectly for this concept.

Tell us what you think

Would you use such feature? Have you got any question regarding the concept?
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