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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

#201

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.

That's not quite accurate, I don't think.

I've definitely used STA and AP modes concurrently on my Windows laptop with the operating system's built-in internet connection sharing function to help troubleshoot a problem in the field.

That was around a decade ago. It didn't take any extra effort on my part; I just told it to do the thing, and then it did that thing.

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

#202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What do you mean they support airdrop? Natively?

Yes Google added the feature recently https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/platforms/android...

Is this working seamlessly? Iirc you needed to switch settings to bypass the contacts only thing. Plus Apple can of course create more adversarial hurdles to lock other vendors out.

And, of course this only solves the phone - phone, and not even all of them. Desktops & laptops have less hope.

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

#204

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…

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For those interested to read more on AWDL I've listed some interesting articles that I came across during lit review a while back

A research lab from TUD worked on a project investigating Apple's wireless ecosystem Link: https://owlink.org/publications/

Also something interesting that I remembered reading closely linked to AWDL?

Link: https://projectzero.google/2020/12/an-ios-zero-click-radio-p...

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

#205

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…

[flagged]

Fascinating! Thanks for breaking it down.

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

#206

And it works in the browser. https://web.localsend.org/ From windows to android to iOS.

Amazing! Though v1.18.0 hasn't dropped in F-droid yet

I wish you just send plaintext on the web app, it looks like it only works for files

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

#207

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…

[flagged]

I thought airdrop also used bluetooth

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

#208

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

also they use mDNS, which many programming languages, such as go, got it in their net library

No they don’t? There are several 3p libs for it but not in std. Unless I’m blind and didn’t get the memo.

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

#209

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…

https://mbarlow.github.io/thinair/

Device to device transfer, just a static github page.

gh repo: https://github.com/mbarlow/thinair

Creates QR codes for each device to scan for webrtc. Android to android will do an audible chirp that lets the devices know to switch from qr code mode to opening the camera to scan each others codes. Tested android to apple and working, the audio chirp doesn't get caught by apple. Just wait and eventually the qr code will dissolve to allow scanning step.

Just threw this together. I was playing with audio handshake using bird-like chirp "songs" or old school modem between smartphones. Fun putting phones together as they send audio frames and confirm to start transfer, but unreliable and slow to handshake. I would like to cleanup the flow to improve. I've started using it for sending files between iphone/android/pc without having to deal with apps, emails, accounts, etc. blah.

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