Tag: app

LocalSend is a Great Open Source Simple File Transfer App for Android, iOS, Linux, Mac and PC

I came across a free, open source utility called LocalSend that has added a touch of convenience to my daily life. The app works as a cross-platform tool for transferring files between devices, offering functionality similar to Apple’s AirDrop but without being limited to a single ecosystem. It works across just about every platform out there including Android, iOS, iPad OS, Windows, Mac and Linux.

You can see it in action in my latest video.

To send a photo from my Android to my iPhone, I simply selected the LocalSend destination from the sharing options on my Android. The app assigned a random name to the device for identification purposes, which can be customized in the settings. After accepting the transfer on the iPhone, the photo appeared directly in the Photos app.

The app isn’t just for phones; it’s compatible with tablets and computers too. During testing, I used the Mac client to send a folder containing various file types—a PDF, a text file, an image, and an Excel document—to both my iPhone and Android phone simultaneously. The app preserved the folder structure on both devices.

Another useful feature is the ability to share files via a web link or QR code, eliminating the need for the app on the receiving device.

While the app works efficiently, there are a few caveats. Both devices need to be on the same local network, and the app must be open and active to receive files. It also didn’t work over my Tailscale VPN due to how it handles broadcast packets. However, these are minor inconveniences considering the app’s utility.

For comparison, I’ve used browser-based solutions like Snapdrop, which also allow for quick file transfers across devices. However, Snapdrop relies on a browser interface, whereas LocalSend integrates directly into the share button on mobile platforms. This integration streamlines the process and makes it feel more natural, especially for users accustomed to native sharing features.

I discovered LocalSend while helping my daughter with her YouTube channel. She edits her videos on an iPad but uses an Android phone to upload YouTube Shorts because the iPad’s YouTube app lacks this functionality. With LocalSend, she can quickly transfer videos from the iPad to the Android phone, making the entire process much simpler. It’s become a practical solution for us both.

LocalSend is free, open-source, and available on major app stores, including those for Mac and iOS, along with Android. Downloads for other platforms can be found on the Localsend website.

See more videos like this here.

My Latest Self Hosted Synology Projects

My latest video involves some of the home networking projects I’ve been working on recently with my Synology NAS devices.

One of the projects I’ve been working on involves setting up a private network using Tailscale, a great (and free) personal VPN solution that allows you to connect remote devices together without having to expose ports on your router. I covered the basics of Tailscale in a previous video.

I’ve set up Tailscale on my primary NAS at home and another one on a Synology NAS at my mother’s house. Using Synology’s Hyper Backup software, I’ve been able to back up about 3 terabytes of data from my house to hers. This has provided me with a secure and efficient way to store a large amount of data off-site. Now that the initial 3TB is loaded subsequent backups will be much smaller as just the changes will be sent over.

My Mom is running with the 500 megabit symmetrical plan from Frontier and it looks as though the data rates have mostly been as advertised during this very long data transfer.

Another project I’ve been working on involves Docker which runs on the Synology + series devices. Docker containers make it easy to host sophisticated self-hosted web apps with just a few clicks. I’ve been using Docker to host a few applications, including Pingvin, a self-hosted alternative to WeTransfer. This allows me to upload and share large files without having to rely on third-party services.

To ensure the security of my home network, I’ve been using Cloudflare’s Zero Trust Tunnel. This service allows me to expose certain services to the public internet without exposing my home IP address. It’s a safer alternative to opening up a port and provides an additional layer of security.

I’ve also been experimenting with PeerTube, an open-source application that allows you to create your own self-hosted version of YouTube. I’ve been able to host videos on my own server, which has given me a lot of control over my content. The software also uses a peer-to-peer system to distribute videos, which helps reduce bandwidth usage.

These projects have given me a deeper understanding of the potential of home networking for those lucky to have fast fiber optic connections. They’ve allowed me to explore new technologies, improve the security of my network, and gain more control over my data.

I’m excited to continue expanding my “home lab” and sharing my experiences with you. I believe that these projects can provide valuable insights for anyone interested in home networking, and I encourage you to explore these technologies for yourself!

Xfinity Stream App Overview – Saves Money on Cable Box Rental Fees

I am continuing my adventure into saving my mother money on her monthly cable bill. In my latest video we take a look at the Xfinity Stream app which allows cable TV subscribers to access their subscription channels without a cable box rental.

Xfinity Stream right now is available on Roku, Fire TV and Apple TV. Oddly the app looks and feels a bit different on each platform. All versions of the app allow for watching live television from a subscription plan, streaming and on demand content, and recordings from the Xfinity cloud DVR that’s part of some service plans.

My preferred platform for Xfinity steam right now is Roku. Comcast began their “Partner Device” program on Roku first so the app is the most mature on that platform. My Mom has been using it for several weeks now and has no complaints.

The biggest advantage in using Xfinity Stream is that you can get rid of your expensive cable rental boxes. In my Mom’s case returning those boxes resulted in $720 in annual savings just on that component alone. As I noted in a previous videos in the series, one of her rental boxes triggered a secondary DVR charge resulting in $60 a month in unnecessary rental fees!

For many Comcast remains the only game in town for Internet and TV service. Thankfully some of the competitive pressure being applied to the company in many markets across the US is forcing them to offer cost saving options for consumers.