That reality is here, and although Apple has the best-known solution, it’s not the only one.

Apple’s newest mobile operating system, iOS 8, and computer operating system, OS X Yosemite, include features called Continuity and Handoff. Continuity lets you share information like directions, browser windows and email drafts on multiple devices, as long as all those devices are from Apple and are running the latest software.

Once you’ve upgraded your devices, the features are often enabled by default. And when it starts working, it’s pretty easy to use and even works with some apps that aren’t made by Apple. With Continuity, your phone or iPad connects to your Mac using Bluetooth. If the device is in range of the computer (say 10 or 20 feet), it can pick up what you’re working on and transfer it to the phone.

For example, while writing this column in the Google Chrome browser, using Google Docs, I tapped the home button to turn on my iPhone screen. At the bottom of the screen, in the left corner, there was a little browser icon. When I tapped the icon and swiped up, the phone automatically opened a browser window that brought up the very Google Doc I was working on.

An even more useful example is navigation. If I use Safari to search for directions and open them in Apple Maps on the computer, a Maps icon will pop up on the phone. When I swipe up on that icon, I see the directions on the phone.

Using the Handoff feature, you can also use your phone’s cellular connection to make and receive calls on your Mac, and you can send and respond to text messages on any of your iOS devices. Making a call works with phone numbers in Safari. If you search for a business on Safari on your computer, for example, and find a phone number, you can click on the number to make the call. The call itself happens on the computer, using its speaker and microphone. You can also make calls from your Contacts app — it just has to be up to date.