Signal Desktop • Hacker News Board

Re: Signal Desktop

#11

Post by aw3c2 » Wed, Dec 02, 2015, 6:57 PM UTC

This is a Chrome app. I miss the days of native apps. :(

Re: Signal Desktop

#12

Post by Veratyr » Wed, Dec 02, 2015, 6:58 PM UTC

hedgehog wrote: post #2

Note: Android only. Edit: In the sense that it only works with the Android version of the app.

Also note that the multi device support only supports multiple desktop clients and not multi-mobile. If you have multiple phones or a tablet you're out of luck.

Re: Signal Desktop

#13

Post by skywhopper » Wed, Dec 02, 2015, 6:58 PM UTC

hedgehog wrote: post #2

Note: Android only. Edit: In the sense that it only works with the Android version of the app.

It runs on your desktop/laptop but to link up with your Signal identity on your phone, your phone has to be Android ("for now").

Re: Signal Desktop

#14

Post by AdmiralAsshat » Wed, Dec 02, 2015, 6:59 PM UTC

Any plans to make a Firefox add-on?

Re: Signal Desktop

#15

Post by mtgx » Wed, Dec 02, 2015, 6:59 PM UTC

liotier wrote: post #5

hedgehog wrote: post #2

Note: Android only. Edit: In the sense that it only works with the Android version of the app.

I found myself thinking "WFT - this is Chrome, not desktop and with an Android dependency at that !" and then realizing that it may be time to question my assumptions about "desktop" meaning Linux/Windows/Macintosh

In this case "Chrome-only" means Windows, Mac, and Linux support.

Re: Signal Desktop

#16

Post by mtgx » Wed, Dec 02, 2015, 7:01 PM UTC

I assume it doesn't have video support yet. Any chance it will within a year?

Re: Signal Desktop

#17

Post by AdmiralAsshat » Wed, Dec 02, 2015, 7:02 PM UTC

aw3c2 wrote: post #11

This is a Chrome app. I miss the days of native apps. :(

A native app would certainly have its advantages, although it would require putting pre-compiled binaries up for Windows, OSX, and various Linux distros.

By contrast, making it a Chrome app allows it to run on any OS that supports Chrome, including Chromebooks. So I understand the decision. But I'm primarily a Firefox user, so a native app or at least an FF add-on would personally be preferable to me.

Re: Signal Desktop

#18

Post by mtgx » Wed, Dec 02, 2015, 7:02 PM UTC

chadk wrote: post #10

All good with the Android, but disappointed this is Chrome. You would think they would have a FF plugin by now!

It's easier to build Chrome apps, and they are also more secure. It's one of the reasons Mozilla is trying to move away from the add-on model and adopt WebExtensions. When it does that we should start seeing Chrome/Firefox apps appear likely at the same time. It's why I hope Mozilla dismisses the backlash against the switch because some people can't live without their "deep" themes.

Re: Signal Desktop

#19

Post by lucidstack » Wed, Dec 02, 2015, 7:03 PM UTC

aw3c2 wrote: post #11

This is a Chrome app. I miss the days of native apps. :(

True. Although, I don't understand why it has to be a Chrome app. Why not just a NW.js app? Maybe for the whole "connect with your phone" functionality?

Perhaps somebody could shed some light on this?

Re: Signal Desktop

#20

Post by newman314 » Wed, Dec 02, 2015, 7:06 PM UTC

zmanian wrote: post #6

hedgehog wrote: post #2

Note: Android only. Edit: In the sense that it only works with the Android version of the app.

Android only on the sense that the ability to provisions two device keys with one account is Android only. OWS is hiring iOS devs to implement more pieces of this.

Yeah, I was disappointed to discover this a while back when I tried to provision an iPad to use the same account as the iPhone.

The failure mode is horrible too, in that messages will just go into the ether. I apparently missed a whole bunch of messages until I deleted Signal off the iPad and reinstalled on the iPhone.