Show HN: Open Scanner, an open-source document scanning app for iPhone • Hacker News Board

Re: Show HN: Open Scanner, an open-source document scanning app for iPhone

#31

Post by darknavi » Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 7:42 PM UTC

miles wrote: post #14

darknavi wrote: post #8

I am partial to QuickScan[1] as it is free and has no ads. It does not seem to be open source though. [1] https://www.quickscanapp.com/

QuickScan looks great and has loads of features, but it might be more accurately described as "nagware" since a donation request is shown on every export until a donation is made (after which point it can be disabled via Settings > Other settings > "Do not show donation request"). Nothing wrong with that; if I were a user I'd certainly donate, just wanted to let other potential users know.

Good point. I must have donated at some point because I use it often and don't remember seeing that.

Re: Show HN: Open Scanner, an open-source document scanning app for iPhone

#32

Post by pjot » Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 7:48 PM UTC

ein0p wrote: post #27

dmd wrote: post #22

This functionality is already built into the iPhone - in the Notes app, and also in the Files app. What does your software add?

Integrated, single purpose app. Most people don’t even know Notes has OCR. I didn’t until late last year, even though I’ve been iPhone user since the original came out.

The camera and photos.app has ocr as well.

Whenever im wanting to copy text on an app that hijacks the clipboard (LinkedIn/Slack) I take a screenshot, highlight the text, and copy as you would normally.

Re: Show HN: Open Scanner, an open-source document scanning app for iPhone

#33

Post by mmmlinux » Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 7:51 PM UTC

zeagle wrote: post #15

I don't have an iPhone but thinking of switching from Android and my work flows. Can this sync saving to a SMB network folder so paperless-ngx imports it?

iOS can connect to SMB and scan documents out of the box with the built in files app.

Re: Show HN: Open Scanner, an open-source document scanning app for iPhone

#34

Post by jagged-chisel » Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 7:56 PM UTC

loloquwowndueo wrote: post #24

toomuchtodo wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I love Apple, but this is so Apple: hidden powerful functionality you'll only know about through word of mouth or intentional exploration in the UI.

Exploring the UI is a perfectly valid method of discovering functionality. What’s the alternative? The phone interrupting you every 2 steps saying hey by the way, you can also do this and this from here?

Valid, yes. But this should never be the sole method of discovery.

Good UX provides clues to discovering additional functionality without intruding on the user.

What’s the alternative? That’s a question for a UX team - something Apple can certainly afford.

Re: Show HN: Open Scanner, an open-source document scanning app for iPhone

#35

Post by minkles » Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 8:08 PM UTC

criddell wrote: post #18

toomuchtodo wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I love Apple, but this is so Apple: hidden powerful functionality you'll only know about through word of mouth or intentional exploration in the UI.

It’s also documented in the iPhone User Guide. You can get it through Books or on the web: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iphf2746307f/18...

No one reads the manuals these days.

Apart from me apparently.

Re: Show HN: Open Scanner, an open-source document scanning app for iPhone

#36

Post by elashri » Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 8:26 PM UTC

minkles wrote: post #35

criddell wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s also documented in the iPhone User Guide. You can get it through Books or on the web: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iphf2746307f/18...

No one reads the manuals these days. Apart from me apparently.

I work mainly with undocumented stuff. That taught me to appreciate when there is manuals and documentation for anything and I read them. I don't watch YouTube videos, I read the manual. Of course until I can't figure it out and then still look into YouTube anyway.

Re: Show HN: Open Scanner, an open-source document scanning app for iPhone

#37

Post by nashashmi » Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 8:39 PM UTC

ein0p wrote: post #27

dmd wrote: post #22

This functionality is already built into the iPhone - in the Notes app, and also in the Files app. What does your software add?

Integrated, single purpose app. Most people don’t even know Notes has OCR. I didn’t until late last year, even though I’ve been iPhone user since the original came out.

Try searching universally for stuff like invoice and you will get a copy of the invoices you have taken a picture of.

Google photos has a feature where it recognizes documents like credit cards and so you can search for them.

Re: Show HN: Open Scanner, an open-source document scanning app for iPhone

#38

Post by zeagle » Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 8:43 PM UTC

mmmlinux wrote: post #33

zeagle wrote: post #15

I don't have an iPhone but thinking of switching from Android and my work flows. Can this sync saving to a SMB network folder so paperless-ngx imports it?

iOS can connect to SMB and scan documents out of the box with the built in files app.

That's great to know. Thanks!

Re: Show HN: Open Scanner, an open-source document scanning app for iPhone

#39

Post by chrisweekly » Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 9:17 PM UTC

Related tangent: IF you already use Dropbox, FYI the Dropbox iOS app's scan feature is excellent.

Re: Show HN: Open Scanner, an open-source document scanning app for iPhone

#40

Post by ryankrage77 » Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 9:19 PM UTC

Awesome that it's free, open-source, and ad-free. My understanding is you have to pay to publish even free apps on the App store - are the devs providing this at their own expense?