Xiaomi, Vivo, OPPO come together for a new Wireless File Transfer System

In a rare move from what ought to be rival companies, three smartphone companies are coming together to make an app – if it can be described as such. The new initiative is dubbed the “Peer-to-Peer Transmission Alliance”. It is made up of three big smartphone sellers: Xiaomi, and BBK Electronics’ OPPO and Vivo. The new system is marketed as enabling seamless cross-brand file transfer with just one click.

In an official press release by Vivo Kenya, they say the feature will be gradually rolled out on new Vivo products in different markets from February 2020.

The new wireless file transfer system will allow consumers of these three brands to easily transfer files between their mobile devices without the need for any third-party applications or network data, supporting a wide range of files, including photos, videos, music, documents and more.

The companies say the move is also in anticipation of 5G adoption, where the average file sizes are expected to significantly increase with the availability of varied and richer content.

Facts about the OPPO, Vivo and Xiaomi’s Peer-to-Peer Transmission Alliance:

• Does NOT require internet connection.
• Uses Bluetooth for fast pairing
• Uses WiFi P2P (Peer-to-Peer) technology for the data transfer, bringing together an instant, stable and high-speed connection between devices, as well as low power consumption.
• Delivers an average transfer speed of 20MB/s.
• The WiFi P2P technology DOES NOT interrupt the existing WiFi connection, meaning users remain connected and can continue their activities on the device during the file transfer.
• Users just need to turn on their WiFi and Bluetooth, or turn on the function under “menu”, then select the files that they wish to share.
• If the other party also has the function turned on, an icon will pop-up to notify the user. Once confirmed, the selected files will be transferred.

The companies describe the Peer-to-Peer Transmission Alliance as a collective commitment between the three to drive the next generation of mobile experience. Together, the three brands will continue to openly collaborate to deliver new technological breakthroughs. The Alliance is also looking forward to welcoming more brands to participate and expand the ecosystem in the future.

“Vivo, OPPO and Xiaomi all share a strong user base, and such partnership will benefit even more consumers globally. For vivo, this partnership reinforces our commitment to bringing a fast, secure, first-in-class mobile experience by making it even easier for our users to share files with their friends wirelessly. We will continue to bring more strategic partnerships like this for our users across the globe,” said Spark Ni, Senior Vice President of Vivo.

Questions I have:

• How is the new “system” different from existing apps one can download?
• Will other apps that do the same thing still work on these phones? Especially since OPPO and Vivo Android Skins are in some cases very limiting.
• How will Google take this move given they’ve gone in very hard with their Files App?
• Encryption. And Privacy. I am very concerned about the fact that eventhough no internet is needed, if you’re connected to WiFi, the connection won’t be interrupted, meaning you’ll sort of be connected to the internet during the transfer.
• Will OnePlus and RealMe join in, since they’re also part of BBK Electronics as are Vivo and OPPO?
• Will Huawei also join in? Given it’ll be a bold, kickass move for them ever since the Huawei Ban?
• What are the other things the Alliance will be collaborating on? A new Android Skin that doesn’t use Google Services? With Huawei on board? Yes, no?