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OpenDrop: An Open Source AirDrop Implementation

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Re: OpenDrop: An Open Source AirDrop Implementation

#211

Post by rlpb »

kelnos wrote: post #192
rlpb wrote: post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought we were talking about enabling technologies, rather than specific clients, and that it's a given that a suitable and widely deployed client doesn't currently exist. I consider automatic configuration of an ad-hoc network to be a relatively trivial client implementation detail :)

> I consider automatic configuration of an ad-hoc network to be a relatively trivial client implementation detail Your statement may be tongue-in-cheek, but this sort of attitude is why we don't have this deployed on devices en-masse. Non-technical users want something that just works with one tap, not something that requires them to manually set up an ad-hoc WiFi network every time they want to use it.

Sorry, I don't think I was clear. I'm saying that the technology exists and is capable and established. I had intended to acknowledge that client implementations and UX is exactly what we're missing. I'm not apologizing for that; I accept that this is the current state of affairs and that it is the sole reason we don't have this widely today.

My original point was simply that the technology exists, and pointing out that there isn't a decent client doesn't negate my point.

It is unfortunate that our ecosystem is arranged such that a decent client hasn't happened.

Re: OpenDrop: An Open Source AirDrop Implementation

#212

Post by shireboy »

Terretta wrote: post #208
shireboy wrote: post #194

Let's talk for a minute about why all the Apple things aren't open. There is zero about iMessage or AirDrop that should be proprietary. The only reason I know of is vendor lock-in, and that stinks for users. It would be way more helpful to way more people if these features were ubiquitous, open, and standards-based like SMTP or IMAP is for email. We wouldn't except an Apple-only iMail, why do we accept iChat and iPho…

OK, I'll talk about why... What does Apple sell? A commodity computing device running undifferentiated software? Or the experience of a holistic tool? When someone distributes a Messenger by itself, you don't ask why it isn't open. You don't ask why the hardware device isn't open. Why should a vendor unbundle the two just to make you happy? What if it doesn't really unbundle, what if the capabilities combine to offer…

I totally get that argument for things that aren’t commodity. Chat and file share should be interoperable services in 2019. Like Email is and has been for ages (though not always as any GroupWise or BBS user will tell you). The vendors can bundle and have closed source implementations, but by definition they should work with any provider. But I feel the same way about “you can only iMessage other iPhones” as I would if I could only email other iPhones (or as a better analogy if emails to non-iPhones were reduced in functionality.) and yes, they should make me happy- I’m the customer.

Re: OpenDrop: An Open Source AirDrop Implementation

#213

Post by azinman2 »

andrewstuart wrote: post #50

Is there any valid use cases for something like "legitimate airdrop"? Maybe things like hyper local advertisements.

I wouldn’t consider that legitimate at all. Legitimate airdrop is its exact intended use case: p2p transfer between people who are both consenting into it.

Re: OpenDrop: An Open Source AirDrop Implementation

#214

Post by liability »

dsl wrote: post #184
liability wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Modern MacOS[...] discourage you from disabiling Wi-Fi/Bluetooth anyway. How do you figure? I've never seen any discouragement from it.

If you use the controls that slide down from the top of the screen (I'm at a loss as to what Apple calls it) and "disable" Wifi it simply disconnects from the associated AP and won't reassociate. It will turn itself back on at 7 AM tomorrow morning. "Disabling" Bluetooth is similar, it will disconnect from paired devices, but BTLE is still available. You have to use airplane mode, or go in to the Settings app to full…

Yeah that must just be iOS, I've not experienced anything like that in MacOS, nor even noticed any difference from how it used to be years ago.

Re: OpenDrop: An Open Source AirDrop Implementation

#215

Post by rtkwe »

azinman2 wrote: post #209
rtkwe wrote: post #204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Being closed also allows unrestricted innovation at a faster pace. Theoretically but has there been any new actual development in AirDrop though? From the outside it seems like it's been the same since it was released but my only Apple device is my iPad Pro so I don't really have a use for it.

Never assume things are static. Or will remain static, just because it might seem like that from the outside.

Yes but it's been out for 8 years surely if it being closed allowed quicker development we would have seen something visible from the outside in that time.

Re: OpenDrop: An Open Source AirDrop Implementation

#216

Post by infectoid »

mxuribe wrote: post #81

It is 2019, and it is quite surprising - and disappointing - that we STILL haven't universally solved the means to easily, securely, and (yes, I'll use this term again) universally share files. I wish we could share files in a peer-to-peer fashion securely without hindrance of mobile platform, nor blockage of network MiTM, etc.

Isn't that what Bump was all about until Google killed it?

http://techland.time.com/2014/01/01/sadly-but-inevitably-goo...

Re: OpenDrop: An Open Source AirDrop Implementation

#217

Post by oefrha »

lucb1e wrote: post #203
oefrha wrote: post #162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m a happy user of magic-wormhole myself. It doesn’t solve the problem of sending files to phones, though.

This is one of many reasons why I have a terminal on my phone, I can just apt install magic-wormhole and use it like on any other system. (The technical reader will note that a terminal does not give you apt, but mentioning that I have Debian running on the phone is more confusing, as it sounds like I replaced Android (which I did not) or maybe that it costs a lot of battery (the tools are idle when not in use, unlik…

Sure, I can use wormhole on iSH on my iPhone/iPad if there are no alternatives. But there are alternatives, so I’ll definitely stay the hell away from it given the terrible ergonomics.

Re: OpenDrop: An Open Source AirDrop Implementation

#218

Post by cyphar »

oefrha wrote: post #162
cyphar wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you taken a look at magic-wormhole[1]? I've started using it recently and it's insanely easy to use. It does have a centralised signalling server for key exchange between peers, but it does attempt to do peer-to-peer data transfer (only falling back to a TURN-style relay if both clients are behind NATs and aren't on the same local network). An explanation of the cryptography and design was given at PyCon 2016[2]…

I’m a happy user of magic-wormhole myself. It doesn’t solve the problem of sending files to phones, though.

Maybe someone should write a magic-wormhole mobile client. It wouldn't need a complicated UI at all, and you could (try) to use Kivy[1] to avoid having to rewrite all of the Python bits. I might even try to do it as a weekend project, actually (though I suck at mobile development -- anyone else would probably be a better choice ;]).

[1]: https://kivy.org/

Re: OpenDrop: An Open Source AirDrop Implementation

#219

Post by yipeedipee »

pashky wrote: post #65
em3rgent0rdr wrote: post #2

This is great, especially considering that AirDrop is used for instance by Hong Kong protesters to bypass the great firewall [1]. [1] https://qz.com/1660460/hong-kong-protesters-use-airdrop-to-b...

And in UK it’s used to send dickpics to strangers on the train... opendrop requires to set security level to everybody instead of contacts. If you forget to switch back to default you get instant reminder once you get onto public transport.

No way! I didnt realise it was able to do that. Pretty cool tbh!

Re: OpenDrop: An Open Source AirDrop Implementation

#220

Post by cerberusss »

DerDangDerDang wrote: post #56
micheljansen wrote: post #28

I wonder if it's more reliable than Apple's own implementation for MacOs. It used to be rock solid – and between iOS devices it still is – but between Macs I regularly have to switch both to "Search for an older Mac" to make them see each other, with no explanation why.

I’ve found it very flaky on iOS - regularly try to transfer between my phone and my wife’s sitting next to each other and it will randomly not see the other phone or take minutes to find it :( When it works, it just works.

Yep, for me it's also quite flaky. When I mentioned this to a friend, he asked me if I was kidding -- it always worked for him.
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