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Localsend: An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop

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Re: Localsend: An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop

#161

Post by satvikpendem »

3371 wrote: post #115
satvikpendem wrote: post #102

Look into Sendme [0] and AltSendme [1] (which is a GUI around the former), they use Iroh [2] which is an open-source encrypted peer-to-peer relay service to send data so there are no limits whatsoever for sending and receiving files, because there's no central server. From my earlier comment about a similar thread a couple days ago about which file sharing apps people use [3]: [0] https://github.com/n0-computer/sendm…

This kind of services that requires the user to share a seed/code to the recipient always seems kinda awkward to me. The code is not simple/short enough to be verbally communicated; If I can send the code, I usually can just send the file.

Not necessarily. For example I might have a few gigs of photos to send someone, and I want to send them uncompressed. I could text someone the seed or QR code for them to download the photos, but I can't send those photos (especially uncompressed, even if over RCS or WhatsApp) over text.

Re: Localsend: An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop

#162

Post by sleepybrett »

Asmod4n wrote: post #154
max8539 wrote: post #139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So, should there be apps that use it to transfer files between iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac without requiring them to be on the same network?

No WiFi cards for pcs support it.

it might be interesting to use unused or extra wifi cards to support this. My pc motherboard has both wifi and ethernet and I only use the ethernet. That card does absolutely nothing at all.

Re: Localsend: An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop

#164

Post by cachius »

nine_k wrote: post #155
eigenspace wrote: post #28

My problem is that all these alternatives require the devices to be on the same local network. One beauty of Airdrop is that it creates and handles that local network automatically under the hood (as far as I understand). So you could be out on a hike with friends and Airdrop something. The workaround I've found after switching to an Android device has been to teather my connection to my friend's device, which ends u…

Speaking of ad-hoc communication channels that do not require shared infrastructure: I like the idea of https://github.com/divan/txqr which sends data using animated QR codes. An ultimate guarantee of physical proximity. The bandwidth is not comparable to WiFi 6, of course, but no OS support is required.

With color it would be even faster! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Capacity_Color_Barcode

Re: Localsend: An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop

#165

Post by worldsavior »

afavour wrote: post #55
worldsavior wrote: post #51

It's not even close to the speed AirDrop has. This is not an alternative to AirDrop. I tried it multiple times but it's slow every time. These alternatives don't use the same technology.

It is an alternative. It just doesn't fulfill all the needs Airdrop does. I've had situation where I want to share a photo or a text file and it'll work great in that scenario.

Probably the main "feature" AirDrop has is speed. Other alternatives should include that "feature".

Re: Localsend: An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop

#166

Post by hbn »

adithyassekhar wrote: post #158

I found blip works better on ios and windows. Not losing transfers midway like localsend.

Blip definitely has a better UX and it's nice that it can transfer between networks through their servers (obviously don't be sending sensitive stuff cause who knows how much they can be trusted)

But I consider my usage of it to be on borrowed time cause there's no way they're gonna let everyone forever beam unlimited data through their servers forever. They're accumulating users before they make you pay, it's just a matter of time. But I'm enjoying it while I can.

Re: Localsend: An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop

#167

Post by ivanjermakov »

cachius wrote: post #113
miguel-muniz wrote: post #56

https://github.com/schlagmichdoch/pairdrop A similar project but this one works entirely in the browser and can connect to clients beyond your local network with "public" rooms

Pairdrop is awesome! The docs are a bit hidden, the FAQ is at https://github.com/schlagmichdoch/pairdrop/blob/master/docs/... and the How-To for integration into Share menu on Android, iOS and Windows at https://github.com/schlagmichdoch/PairDrop/blob/master/docs/... They forked sharedrop after it and snapdrop got acquired and enshittified by LimeWire, whoever that is now.

Related: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43143559

Re: Localsend: An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop

#168

Post by afavour »

worldsavior wrote: post #165
afavour wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is an alternative. It just doesn't fulfill all the needs Airdrop does. I've had situation where I want to share a photo or a text file and it'll work great in that scenario.

Probably the main "feature" AirDrop has is speed. Other alternatives should include that "feature".

No it isn't? The main feature is sending things peer to peer.

Re: Localsend: An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop

#169

Post by hbn »

worldsavior wrote: post #51

It's not even close to the speed AirDrop has. This is not an alternative to AirDrop. I tried it multiple times but it's slow every time. These alternatives don't use the same technology.

It's faster than the standard wireless transfer speed between my iPhone and my Windows PC (0 KB/s)

Re: Localsend: An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop

#170

Post by hahamaster »

kennywinker wrote: post #137
gregoriol wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

AWDL is such an amazing technology, it's understandable that Apple wants to keep it only for their devices as it gives them a noticeable advantage for quick stuff sharing.

Except 20% of the time it just doesn’t work. Hardly an advantage if most people default to texting because of airdrop’s failure rate

Agreed. It's been like that for years.
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