iOS18: The Ecosystem Game Behind Apple and Android's "Mind-Reading" Similarities

iOS18: The Ecosystem Game Behind Apple and Android's "Mind-Reading" SimilaritiesIn September 2024, Apple released iOS18, featuring several features remarkably similar to those found in domestic Android systems, sparking accusations of "copying Android." As a user of both iPhone and Samsung devices, I find this homogenization both exciting and concerning

iOS18: The Ecosystem Game Behind Apple and Android's "Mind-Reading" Similarities

In September 2024, Apple released iOS18, featuring several features remarkably similar to those found in domestic Android systems, sparking accusations of "copying Android." As a user of both iPhone and Samsung devices, I find this homogenization both exciting and concerning. On one hand, I worry that the two systems might become too alike, losing their individual appeal. On the other hand, I believe both systems can learn from each other; for example, Samsung's NFC door card and split-screen app functionality are features worth adopting for iPhone. More importantly, deeper interconnectivity between the two systems is needed, such as a more convenient file transfer system.

Interestingly, domestic Android phone brands share this sentiment. At Xiaomi's 2024 new product launch event, Vice President Jin Fan announced that the core component of Pengpai OS2, Xiaomi HyperConnect, now fully supports Apple devices. Simply installing Xiaomi Interconnection Services on an Apple device enables cross-ecosystem file transfers. Similarly, OPPO, at a previous developer conference, announced that ColorOS15 will support iOS's "One Tap Transfer," allowing users to send files across systems without data.

Is cross-system file transfer truly that difficult? Actually, long before Android and iOS emerged, solutions for cross-system file transfer already existed. In my own case, I use iPhone, Samsung phones, MacBook Pro, Windows desktop, and Linux servers. But thanks to open-source software LocalSend, I can easily transfer files between all these different systems.

LocalSend is a powerful tool for data transfer within a local network, supporting almost all platforms. It transfers files in their original format, in bulk, to another device at blazing speeds; even URLs or text can be sent directly. It's also incredibly easy to use, requiring no registration, login, unnecessary permissions, advertising, or even device names for sending or receiving, boasting end-to-end encryption.

LocalSend, however, has its limitations. Due to the lack of a central server, it's only suitable for transfers within a local network and cannot transfer files between different network topologies. Also, LocalSend doesn't convert file formats. It only sends the file, and whether the receiving device can open it depends on the receiving device itself.

Clever Chinese manufacturers, of course, have found solutions to these issues. Back in the days of Smartisan phones, the built-in SmartisanOS file manager integrated the "iWork" suite conversion function, allowing Pages, Numbers, and Keynote files to be uploaded to Smartisan servers for cloud-based transcoding. After downloading, these files could be opened directly on the phone.

While SmartisanOS has sadly become a thing of the past, it provided a valuable solution for cross-system file transfer, paving the way for significant progress in cross-platform compatibility among domestic manufacturers. Now, Xiaomi and OPPO have launched "Apple Interconnection Services," achieving cross-system file transfer, marking a crucial step forward in addressing cross-platform compatibility issues.

From a technical standpoint, Xiaomi and OPPO's transfer solutions are fundamentally no different from LocalSend. Sending and receiving devices need to be on the same local network, and the app uses broadcasts or local network scans to find nearby devices. After identifying the corresponding device, Xiaomi and OPPO's software requires user verification, while LocalSend requires users to verify a unique device nickname displayed on the screen.

Once the device is found, the user selects the files to send and establishes an internal network communication using HTTP and RESTAPI with the receiving device. Data is encrypted through HTTPS protocol for safe transmission. The system generates temporary TLS/SSL certificates to prevent third-party data interception. Files are divided into smaller blocks for transmission, allowing for seamless recovery in case of network fluctuations. Data is transmitted directly between devices using a peer-to-peer method, eliminating the involvement of intermediate servers. Once all file blocks are successfully sent to the receiving device, the system automatically reassembles the file.

Xiaomi's interconnection suite offers a more comprehensive feature set, including the use of streaming technology to enable Mac users to operate Xiaomi phones, a first for domestic phones in supporting this feature at the system level.

However, claiming that "Xiaomi Pengpai supports the Apple ecosystem" solely based on an interconnection suite seems premature.

What truly constitutes the essence of the iCloud ecosystem?

Xiaomi's interconnection suite is merely a file transfer tool. Apple users, however, cherish the "iCloud" ecosystem, which goes far beyond file transfer functionality. Leveraging iCloud's "synchronization" capabilities, Apple has developed a range of rich cross-device data synchronization applications. Take Handoff, for example: it synchronizes user data and app usage status across devices, allowing seamless switching between them. For instance, you can continue writing an email or browsing a webpage on your computer without needing to use the app on your phone.

iCloud-synced "passwords" allow system-level encryption and storage of app, web account, and password data across devices. Email and iMessage cloud syncing also enables automatic input of email or SMS verification codes across devices. Xiaomi can achieve these functions within its own system ecosystem, but "compatible with the iCloud ecosystem" means much more, including iCloud password syncing and system-level cross-device synchronization.

Aspiring to Be iPhone Users' "Second Phone"

Xiaomi and OPPO's "Apple Interconnection Services" are not aimed at replacing the iPhone. Instead, their goal is to develop themselves as iPhone users' "second phone," attracting more iPhone users to their products without directly challenging the iPhone's core market.

iPhone users heavily depend on the so-called "Apple ecosystem." Apple, through iCloud, has built a deeply integrated system-level interconnectivity service, effectively creating an "ecosystem cage" that users find hard to escape. Apple has been developing its ecosystem for years, aiming to firmly keep iPhone users within it. This is something that Android, which has been open and inclusive from the beginning, cannot easily replicate.

Xiaomi and OPPO's "Apple Interconnection Services" can tap into the iPhone user base, offering a "one-way compatible" Apple ecosystem product experience. iPhone users can enjoy Xiaomi and OPPO product features without abandoning their existing Apple devices, thus lowering the cost and psychological barrier to switching camps.

Secondly, this strategy avoids direct confrontation with Apple in its core market. By offering cross-platform connectivity and one-way data sharing capabilities, Xiaomi and OPPO are not trying to replace the iPhone. Instead, they present a more flexible solution in specific contexts (gaming, work, photography), catering to diverse user needs while enhancing Android brands' presence in the high-end market.

Ultimately, "interconnection services" from Xiaomi, OPPO, and other brands are not intended to completely shake the Apple ecosystem. They aim to attract and convert the attention of a portion of iPhone users, giving "Apple fans" an additional option beyond the iPhone. For "dual-wielding" users, the emergence of interconnection services brings greater convenience, lowering the barrier to cross-platform usage and enriching the overall device functionality experience.

It's certain that as technology continues to develop, cross-ecosystem integration between iPhone and Android will become even deeper, enabling seamless interconnectivity between devices from different brands and systems, truly breaking down "ecosystem barriers." And the day when "Apple fans" can disregard ecosystem compatibility and use Android phones as their "primary phones" will be the day they "leave the darkness and embrace the light."