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OpenDrop: An open Apple AirDrop implementation written in Python

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Re: OpenDrop: An open Apple AirDrop implementation written in Python

#11

Post by jbverschoor »

mrtksn wrote: post #3

AirDrop is brilliant but it fails silently, no error messages - nothing. At best, it says that it was cancelled. Does anyone knows how to debug it? I also wonder, why this type of file transfer isn't the industry standart. It's so straightforward(when it works), why would anyone transfer files in any other way? Okay, maybe a transfer history can also be useful.

Also my experience.. Super unreliable. It works, as long as you don't touch your phone/laptop, and don't have any network hickups.

Still, it's the only thing that works

Re: OpenDrop: An open Apple AirDrop implementation written in Python

#13

Post by Shish2k »

javajosh wrote: post #9
Simplicitas wrote: post #4

BTW, is there one to share between iOS and Android?

Syncthing

Syncthing is great software… but it isn’t in the same genre of “send a random one-off file to a person physically close to you with no advanced setup"

Re: OpenDrop: An open Apple AirDrop implementation written in Python

#14

Post by cormacrelf »

jbverschoor wrote: post #11
mrtksn wrote: post #3

AirDrop is brilliant but it fails silently, no error messages - nothing. At best, it says that it was cancelled. Does anyone knows how to debug it? I also wonder, why this type of file transfer isn't the industry standart. It's so straightforward(when it works), why would anyone transfer files in any other way? Okay, maybe a transfer history can also be useful.

Also my experience.. Super unreliable. It works, as long as you don't touch your phone/laptop, and don't have any network hickups. Still, it's the only thing that works

I thought it multiplexed over Wifi, Wifi Direct and bluetooth? So much for that.

Re: OpenDrop: An open Apple AirDrop implementation written in Python

#17

Post by supreme_berry »

jbverschoor wrote: post #11
mrtksn wrote: post #3

AirDrop is brilliant but it fails silently, no error messages - nothing. At best, it says that it was cancelled. Does anyone knows how to debug it? I also wonder, why this type of file transfer isn't the industry standart. It's so straightforward(when it works), why would anyone transfer files in any other way? Okay, maybe a transfer history can also be useful.

Also my experience.. Super unreliable. It works, as long as you don't touch your phone/laptop, and don't have any network hickups. Still, it's the only thing that works

When I was traveling from Sharm El Sheikh through Sinai to Israel in the bus I’ve transferred 40GB of photos and videos to my friends on iPhone 6S. Imagine this on Android 5 years ago - they (Google) only managed to copy AirDrop with same functionality (wifi + bluetooh) only in 2020 with Nearby Share.

Re: OpenDrop: An open Apple AirDrop implementation written in Python

#18

Post by derwiki »

bilal4hmed wrote: post #6
Simplicitas wrote: post #4

BTW, is there one to share between iOS and Android?

I tend to use snapdrop.net when everyone is on the same network otherwise https://www.sharedrop.io/ works well too

Corporate policy blocks Airdrop and removable media, so Sharedrop is my preferred method of transfer.

Re: OpenDrop: An open Apple AirDrop implementation written in Python

#19

Post by newaccount74 »

barefeg wrote: post #12
1cvmask wrote: post #2

Is there a particular reason they chose GPL 3 over an MIT license?

Why is this downvoted?

Presumably because the merits of GPL vs MIT are discussed so often on HN that people don't want any more of that.

Re: OpenDrop: An open Apple AirDrop implementation written in Python

#20

Post by samwillis »

I believe AirDrop is a a great example of how Apples vertical integration and full ownership of software and hardware really thrives. It may not offer interoperability with other platforms, but that’s because other platforms don’t have the control needed to implement the same level of integration of hardware and software needed.

Without the direct low level control of the radio hardware they would not have been able to integrate both Bluetooth and WiFi in the way that AirDrop does.

I hope one day standards for this type of functionality appear so that other platforms can implement it. Ideally apple would contribute their tech to create the standard but that’s probably wishful thinking.

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