Android’s latest feature drop brings Apple-like continuity to devices, except for Samsung

Google has once again released a new set of features for Android users, and this one could change how we use our devices on the go. One of the big highlight of this feature drop is the introduction of Instant Hotspot, a feature that aims to streamline the connection between your Android devices.

Imagine you’re out and about with your Android tablet or Chromebook, and you need an internet connection. Normally, you’d have to fumble around with your phone, activate the hotspot, find it on your other device, and then enter the password. Not exactly a smooth process, especially when you’re in a hurry. This is where Instant Hotspot steps in. It lets you connect your tablet or Chromebook to your phone’s hotspot with just a single tap, eliminating the need for passwords and tedious setup.

This kind of seamless device interaction is reminiscent of Apple’s Continuity features, which have long been praised for their ease of use. It’s great to see Android borrowing a page from Apple’s playbook, making the user experience smoother and more intuitive.

However, as Mishaal Rahman reported for Android Authority, there’s one notable exception to this new feature: Samsung devices. For reasons unknown, Instant Hotspot won’t be available on any Samsung phones or tablets. This is a bit of a bummer for Samsung users, especially those who own both Samsung phones and tablets. While Samsung devices already offer their own Auto Hotspot feature for seamless connectivity within their ecosystem, this new feature would have extended that convenience to other Android devices as well.