Key Points:
- Instant Hotspot Feature Exclusion: Google’s new Instant Hotspot feature is unavailable for Samsung devices.
- Convenience for Android and Chromebook Users: This feature simplifies connecting Android tablets and Chromebooks to phone hotspots with a single tap.
- Samsung’s Existing Alternatives: Samsung users still have Auto Hotspot for Samsung tablets and Instant Tethering for Chromebooks.
Google recently announced its latest Android Feature Drop, which includes the highly anticipated Instant Hotspot feature. This feature allows Android tablets and Chromebooks to connect to a phone’s hotspot with a single tap, making it easier than ever to get online without dealing with passwords and manual connections. However, there’s a significant caveat: Samsung devices are excluded from this update.
Instant Hotspot is compatible with phones running Android 11 or newer, aiming to streamline connectivity for devices that lack cellular capabilities. For users of Wi-Fi-only Android tablets or Chromebooks, this feature simplifies the process of sharing their phone’s data connection. Typically, this requires several steps: activating the hotspot on the phone, locating it on the device, and entering a password. With Instant Hotspot, all these steps are condensed into one seamless action, enhancing user convenience.
Despite this advancement, Samsung users will not benefit from Instant Hotspot. While the specific reasons remain unclear, it’s speculated that Samsung might have declined this feature to promote its proprietary solutions. Samsung’s Auto Hotspot in One UI already offers similar functionality within its ecosystem, allowing seamless data sharing between Samsung phones and tablets. Additionally, Samsung devices can still use Google’s Instant Tethering to connect with Chromebooks and Link to Windows for connecting with Windows PCs.
In summary, Google’s Instant Hotspot feature marks a significant step towards enhanced connectivity within the Android ecosystem, although Samsung device users will have to rely on their existing solutions.
