How does Continuity work?

[Dj64Mk7]

I've got a quick question about the new Continuity feature(s). How do they work? Does it use Bluetooth or Wifi or something? Are they compatible with iPhone 4s and iPad 3?

 

[0000757]

I've got a quick question about the new Continuity feature(s). How do they work? Does it use Bluetooth or Wifi or something? Are they compatible with iPhone 4s and iPad 3?

Most likely WiFi.

 

[richwoodrocket]

Wifi

 

[gabriellanata]

I'm guessing its just basically airdrop that is always on. So therefore it would technically work on wifi or bluetooth LE as it would use the multipeer connectivity framework introduced in iOS 7.

 

[Dj64Mk7]

So then it'll work with the iPad 3 and iPhone 4s?

 

[KUguardgrl13]

So then it'll work with the iPad 3 and iPhone 4s?

4S possibly because it will get iOS 8, but Apple does occasionally block features on older devices.

iPad 3 is not listed amount iOS 8 supported devices, so I wouldn't count on it unless we hear different before public launch.

 

[tdar]

The release notes state they are using Bluetooth in B1 but were supposed to use Wi-Fi. So expect this to change as we go forward.

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4S possibly because it will get iOS 8, but Apple does occasionally block features on older devices.

iPad 3 is not listed amount iOS 8 supported devices, so I wouldn't count on it unless we hear different before public launch.

IPad 3 (or IPad with retina display) is listed and is working. I have one.

 

[DerekRod]

4S possibly because it will get iOS 8, but Apple does occasionally block features on older devices.

iPad 3 is not listed amount iOS 8 supported devices, so I wouldn't count on it unless we hear different before public launch.

4S doesn't have AirDrop so I don't think so

 

[KUguardgrl13]

The release notes state they are using Bluetooth in B1 but were supposed to use Wi-Fi. So expect this to change as we go forward.

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IPad 3 (or IPad with retina display) is listed and is working. I have one.

Ok then. The keynote made it look like it wasn't.

 

[zorinlynx]

I hope it will continue to be able to use either Bluetooth or Wifi. There are often situations where my laptop might be plugged into a wired network and my phone is on a wifi that's on a different subnet, where one won't be able to reach the other. Bluetooth would make a useful fallback.

 

[sviato]

Will it work with data? I rarely use wifi. Seems like the automatic hotspot may make it possible without wifi.

 

[cschmelz]

I hope it will continue to be able to use either Bluetooth or Wifi. There are often situations where my laptop might be plugged into a wired network and my phone is on a wifi that's on a different subnet, where one won't be able to reach the other. Bluetooth would make a useful fallback.

Well it seems to work via Bluetooth between my 5 and 5S that self-sync'ed right after I installed the beta on both (presumably via iCloud login)

 

[bansh]

I can't get it to work. Tried it between my iPad air and my iPhone 5S but nothing is "continued"

 

[cschmelz]

I can't get it to work. Tried it between my iPad air and my iPhone 5S but nothing is "continued"

Pretty strange to suddenly start seeing SMS messages on the iPad. My ADT Pulse system sends a SMS when I arm and disarm the system and now they show up almost instantly on my iPad too when my 5S is near the iPad!

It is VERY clearly all via Bluetooth as iOS 8 suddenly setup bluetooth links between my 5S, my test 5 and my iPad Air.

If it isn't working for you make sure you have bluetooth active on all the devices.

 

[bansh]

Is Your Bluetooth icon shown as active during the connection?

 

[cschmelz]

Is Your Bluetooth icon shown as active during the connection?

I have not seen it flash as active but I would suspect Apple would suppress the icon being active during the transient use of bluetooth (tho sis well within their power of course)

I will play with the feature with WiFi disabled tomorrow to prove the point but there is no other reason I can think of for iOS 8 to suddenly start linking all the iOS 8 devices via blueooth except to do this.

 

[bansh]

Tried it also with bluetooth but it does not work for me right now. still trying to figure the issue out

 

[uPhone]

Since you can use continuity to turn on your iPhone's hot spot, it seems like it should work when you don't have a WiFi network to connect to.