File Sharing Just Got Easier on Mac OS X 10.7 Lion with AirDrop

Apple’s latest Mac OS X Lion has incorporated a cool feature called AirDrop: a way of sharing files on WiFi enabled notebooks in the same room and you don’t even need to be connected to a network.

AirDrop creates a direct link between two notebooks. It is something like Bluetooth sharing only it uses the WiFi signal instead.

The transfer is encrypted using Transport Layer Security (TSL).

Mac notebooks that will be sharing files must have their AirPort wireless switched on and they also have to have their AirDrop windows open before they can appear on the AirDrop network.

To use AirDrop, click Go on then select AirDrop from the dropdown. You can also open AirDrop in the Finder or use Comman+Shift+R buttons.

If each notebook with AirDrop is enabled properly, they will appear on the AirDrop network. Now all you have to do is drag and drop the file you want to share on the other AirDrop user.

Click ‘Send’ to confirm package delivery, the recipient will also be asked to either accept or reject the package.

The files received via AirDrop will appear in your Downloads folder which will open once a transfer is complete.

AirDrop is only available on Mac OS X 10.7 Lion so others are out of luck.

It took decades for file sharing to progress from floppy disks to USB, network sharing and Bluetooth. However, this is probably the most ingenious way of file sharing yet.

It became standard for notebooks after 2003 to have inbuilt WiFi which makes this a great tool if other companies get aboard. Unfortunately, licensing may be an issue for other notebook manufacturers adopting this technology.