From the author: https://github.com/schlagmichdoch/pairdrop#differences-to-sn...
1: https://github.com/marcosdiez/shareviahttp
2: https://github.com/uintdev/qrserv
3: also in the IzzyOnDroid F-droid repo
Technically they will still need an app to download the file (even if just a web browser) but there’s a gulf of difference between using an app you already have or installing a new one, especially if you need to do all the due diligence of “do I trust this?”
The IP and port is just also shown, which is very useful when the target device doesn't have an easy QR code scanner - say, a desktop.
Not that it matters at all. As others have said, the app will gladly show you a QR code for it, which regular smartphone users are trained to use.
As for the credit/debit card number, it isn't comparable as it is widely used and understood. And yes, QR code is a far better solution, and it is employed by most apps.
Heck, the number is even organized similar: the CC is 4 groups of 8 + a group of 3 (ignoring date and name), the IP and port is 4 groups of average 2 digits + a group of 5. And unlike the CC info, every IP a non-techie ever deals with - and they have most certainly seen and typed one at least few times at this point, such as when they got internet service - starts with the same 6 digits.
Not to mention electronic bills and bank accounts/SWIFT/IBAN being even longer and copied without fail.
> And remember, most people don't have enough patience to retype the address once it didn't work.
What? If people have the patience to retype CC info when wrong, they have the patience to try typing an IP again.
Heck, the only use for this feature at all is if you're two people where one has the app and the other does not, so it's two people that need to collectively fail and give up!
You can say that it's annoying to copy an IP, but the task is objectively simpler and less time consuming than other regular day-to-day activities a smartphone owner would go through. The suggestion that two people should collectively fail the task is, quite frankly, ridiculous.
> A QR code is a far better solution
Then just use that instead of ranting about how IPs are unacceptable. The button for the QR code is right beside the address in the app. Or if that's too difficult, install the app on both devices so it's automatic.
You mentioned electronic bills (idk what that is), bank account/SWIFT/IBAN. You maybe suprised, but these people don't type these numbers at all. They don't ever need to. The most they can type is a phone number.
People have more patience to type CC number because it's more important to them than receiving a file, which can be easily shared through WhatsApp etc. For larger files, they will just copy using a data cable, or pendrive.
> And unlike the CC info, every IP a non-techie ever deals with - and they have most certainly seen and typed one at least few times at this point, such as when they got internet service - starts with the same 6 digits.
Yeah, keep living in your bubble. One rarely needs to type an IP address to use a modern fiber optics internet connection. It's generally pre-cofigured.
> A QR code is a far better solution
> Then just use that instead of ranting about how IPs are unacceptable.
Yes, and I am always going to choose the QR code over typing IP address manually any time of the day.
> You mentioned electronic bills (idk what that is), bank account/SWIFT/IBAN. You maybe suprised, but these people don't type these numbers at all.
The average individual must pay bills, and that involves copying payment details. Here, that means copying numeric payment details - either a special bill number or bank details.
Likewise if you work in an office you may be confronted with invoices paid by bank transfer.
There can be local variations in means of payment of course, but unless you live in a cash-only world it would not be avoidable.
> People have more patience to type CC number because it's more important to them than receiving a file
There is nothing that would support this claim. It is quite conceivable that a file would be important to someone but a random online purchase not.
> Yeah, keep living in your bubble. One rarely needs to type an IP address to use a modern fiber optics internet connection. It's generally pre-cofigured.
Sure as hell never was for me across 2 countries and 4 providers. Always required activation, and ISP instructions often had you go to the router portal.
Granted I didn't use their router after activation, but 192.168.1.1 (or 0.1) is something users are guided to.
I cannot claim that every ISP will require this, but in my experience it is "many", which in turn exposes at least one individual in a household.
> Yes, and I am always going to choose the QR code
Go ahead - no need to go on a pointless vendetta when your preferred option is right there.
Payments happen mostly through apps here. So people don't have to type numbers.
Even if they have to use bank account details or card details to pay, only one person in the household generally does that. If your target user is that one person, then you will be fine.
> Likewise if you work in an office you may be confronted with invoices paid by bank transfer.
If you work in an office, you will be specifically trained for that. Your file transfer app can't as people don't have the patience to read through your guide.
> There is nothing that would support this claim. It is quite conceivable that a file would be important to someone but a random online purchase not.
As I said, instead of going through the hassle of typing IP addresses and making sure both devices are on the same network, people will just send the file over messaging apps or email. They will use your file transfer app if and only if it is as easy or easier than say WhatsApp.
> Sure as hell never was for me across 2 countries and 4 providers. Always required activation, and ISP instructions often had you go to the router portal.
Idk, but I didn't have to. Or even if it is required, a technician will most probably do it for them. Moreover if you keep your router in default configuration, you don't need to configure most things. Only power users get into that stuff.
> Go ahead - no need to go on a pointless vendetta when your preferred option is right there.
I am just trying to put my opinion forward. I generally use nearby share on Android.
In EU, Giro//SEPA is used for most formal electronically paid bills. Electricity, internet, rent, fines (parking, speeding, ...), tax adjustments, whatever. Where I live, it would be impossible for an employed adult to not be confronted with such non-app payments occasionally.
But even then, people need to enter CC details at regular intervals, they may deal with multiple, and even if they could get familiar with them they change as CCs are renewed or replaced.
> If you work in an office, you will be specifically trained for that.
That training makes you able to copy long sequences of unique and mostly meaningless numbers without error, exactly the skill required here.
> As I said, instead of going through the hassle of typing IP addresses and making sure both devices are on the same network, people will just send the file over messaging apps or email.
If either user installed the app they likely have a reason to not just send it by email (larger than email limit, internet speed), whatsapp (not a user, not installed, no trust), or airdrop/nearby share (support) in the first place.
Being on the same network is of course a restriction, but that's the whole premise of the app. I'd also consider any smartphone user able to connect to a WiFi network, and "be on the same one" while more technical seems like a manageable task. The assumption is not that the average user will think of making a portable hotspot, but rather that they find WiFi to connect to (e.g., home or office).
It would be neater to use WiFi P2P, but that's also trickier.
It finds devices on the same network automatically but also works across networks when using the plus button on the top right.
I've tried all the options in this thread but only discovered pairdrop 20 minutes ago (thanks to this thread) and it's by far the best option.
Problem is that you both need to be on the same network for this to work.
Sure, I could quickly start a hotspot and share that with a qr-code and then share my ip+port with another qr code.
Whole setup is like 6 clicks, but... The receiving side needs to join a wifi (and implicitly disconnect from something they might be using, and then have to switch back afterwards) and scan ² qr codes.
All in all, too cumbersome.
Being in the same network, of course, lowers the difficulty bar because now the peers don't need to perform an initial step of creating their own network link between phones.
And many apps are running their own direct wifi-wifi, tons of ways to do it. No real reason for why it couldn't be native to all devices that exist.
The problem is that airdrop only works with apple devices so that is utterly useless. Nearby-share is equivalently useless.
Hotspot works, but only in some cases. About as convenient as unpacking a laptop and sharing thumb-drives. Which is a pretty embarrassing state of affairs in 2023.