THIS PROJECT IS IN DEVELOPMENT AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE IT WILL WORK - CURRENT VERSION 0.3ß - RELEASED FEBRUARY 6th, 2014 - SEE BELOW FOR CHANGELOG AND DIRECT APK LINK
I would like to share an app I actually wanted to make make myself, but it seems that it actually might be something worth releasing. The app is called Message Beam and with it you can send text from your desktop to your phone *and vice versa*. At the moment it is only available as a Chrome Extension (apart from the Andoid app), but when completely finished it will have at least have a Chrome Extension, a web site and a stand alone executable (probably .NET).
Key features
* Send selected text, URL's or custom messages from Chrome to your Android device
* Messages will be copied to the device its clipboard, URL's will be opened when you click on the notification
* Send messages from your Android device to Chrome
* You can link multiple devices (so you can link your tablet too
)
* Encrypt messages to improve your privacy (keys only stored at device and/or endpoint, meaning they will never be sent over the internet).
Why it was made
Up until now I used the Chrome to Phone extension, but it lacks the possibility to send custom text or a text selection. Also, it often takes a lot of time before the message is actually delivered and sending a message from the device to Chrome is impossible, as well as linking more than one device. Message Beam tries solves all these shortcomings.
Screenshots:
How does it work?
The underlying technique used is an XMPP server. Messages sent from and to devices will only be stored until they are delivered and are (*OF COURSE*) not read, used for analysis or used for any other form of privacy violation. Linking devices is as easy as creating a special code of at least 4 characters and entering it in the Chrome Extension, setup can be done within a minute.
Why release it as some sort of development build?
I made this project for myself and have done no research whatsoever in what others might want from this app, so releasing it on this forum means I can hopefully get some feedback that will help add features and make the app perfect!
What will the future bring?
The functionality provided is the bare minimum of what I had in mind. The future will probably bring at least the following things:
*Encryption (with keys only available on your device and endpoint (e.g. Chrome Extension), meaning it's impossible for the Message Beam server to decrypt messages Done in version 0.2ß
* Files (Images, Office documents, etc., etc.). Preparations for this have already been made.
* More endpoint types (Executable, Website,Firefox extension -> see below, Java client, etc.)
Is it free and will it stay free?
Yes and Probably. When there are not too many users, I can host it on my own small VPS and won't have any extra costs. However, if there are too much users, I will need to add one or more VPS'es and then some features might only be available in a paid version, but the intention is to keep it free.
Closing words
As said, this project is still heavily in development and released just because I want to check if it's something worth releasing in public eventually I hope you like it and thanks for reading!
Change log
0.4ß (february 15, 2014)
CHROME EXTENSION
- Added possibility to receive messgages that were sent while the connection was unavailable. This feature will be enabled (server side on feb. 22, 2014).
FIREFOX EXTENSION
- Added possibility to receive messgages that were sent while the connection was unavailable. This feature will be enabled (server side on feb. 22, 2014).
ANDROID APP
- Pre Honeycomb (< 3.0): Added a setting to enable a permanent notification. If enabled you can send the current content of the clipboard by clicking it.
- Honeycomb and higher (3.0+): Added a setting to enable a notification when the clipboard content changes. When clicked, it will send the current clipboard content to the endpoints.
0.3ß (january 25, 2014)
IF YOUR CHROME EXTENSION IS UPDATED TO VERSION 0.3ß YOU NEED TO UPDATE THE ANDROID APK TOO!
CHROME EXTENSION
- Changed chat setup, a room will be created now (in stead of separate chat instances), this will greatly increase the message delivery time
- Fixed decryption bug (when encrypted data had more lines)
- You can send a message with CTRL+ENTER now
- When pasting text in the message text-area, the send button will be enabled now
- When connected, you can now see the availability of the Android device
- Small visual improvements
ANDROID APP
- Added connection status (when not connected and authenticated, you see what the app is doing to restore connection)
- Added first 'share' target (for plain text, meaning plain text can now be shared, which will be sent directly to the end points)
- Messages which cannot be sent (due to connection issues), will be sent whenever an internet connection becomes available.
- App will now automatically reconnect directly when an internet connection will become available (in stead of waiting for a certain amount of time)
- App now works on 2.2+ (previously it crashed)
0.2ß (january 19, 2014)
- Added encryption. You need to update both the Chrome Extension and the APK to make it work
0.1ß (january 16, 2014)
- Initial release
Link
Chrome Extension: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/message-beam-for-android/mlndbhjjfllliigpnpinfhmiaocogeba
Firefox Extension: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11837707/messagebeam/release/0.0.4/MessageBeam_0_0_4.xpi
Just install the Chrome Extension / Firefox Addon and the it will guide you, including the installation of the APK. The Android app is not yet available in the Play Store.
You can update the APK with this QR:
Direct links
Chrome extension (zip, source): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11837707/messagebeam/release/0.0.4/MessageBeam_0_0_4.zip
Firefox extension (xpi): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11837707/messagebeam/release/0.0.4/MessageBeam_0_0_4.xpi
APK: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11837707/messagebeam/release/0.0.4/MessageBeam_0_0_4.apk
Older versions
0.3ß
Chrome extension (zip): http://goo.gl/BD1pge
Firefox extension (xpi): http://goo.gl/2AnEA3
APK: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11837707/messagebeam/release/MessageBeam.apk
0.2ß - https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11837707/messagebeam/release/MessageBeam_0_2.apk
I would like to share an app I actually wanted to make make myself, but it seems that it actually might be something worth releasing. The app is called Message Beam and with it you can send text from your desktop to your phone *and vice versa*. At the moment it is only available as a Chrome Extension (apart from the Andoid app), but when completely finished it will have at least have a Chrome Extension, a web site and a stand alone executable (probably .NET).
Key features
* Send selected text, URL's or custom messages from Chrome to your Android device
* Messages will be copied to the device its clipboard, URL's will be opened when you click on the notification
* Send messages from your Android device to Chrome
* You can link multiple devices (so you can link your tablet too
)* Encrypt messages to improve your privacy (keys only stored at device and/or endpoint, meaning they will never be sent over the internet).
Why it was made
Up until now I used the Chrome to Phone extension, but it lacks the possibility to send custom text or a text selection. Also, it often takes a lot of time before the message is actually delivered and sending a message from the device to Chrome is impossible, as well as linking more than one device. Message Beam tries solves all these shortcomings.
Screenshots:
How does it work?
The underlying technique used is an XMPP server. Messages sent from and to devices will only be stored until they are delivered and are (*OF COURSE*) not read, used for analysis or used for any other form of privacy violation. Linking devices is as easy as creating a special code of at least 4 characters and entering it in the Chrome Extension, setup can be done within a minute.
Why release it as some sort of development build?
I made this project for myself and have done no research whatsoever in what others might want from this app, so releasing it on this forum means I can hopefully get some feedback that will help add features and make the app perfect!
What will the future bring?
The functionality provided is the bare minimum of what I had in mind. The future will probably bring at least the following things:
*
* Files (Images, Office documents, etc., etc.). Preparations for this have already been made.
* More endpoint types (Executable, Website,
Is it free and will it stay free?
Yes and Probably. When there are not too many users, I can host it on my own small VPS and won't have any extra costs. However, if there are too much users, I will need to add one or more VPS'es and then some features might only be available in a paid version, but the intention is to keep it free.
Closing words
As said, this project is still heavily in development and released just because I want to check if it's something worth releasing in public eventually
I hope you like it and thanks for reading!Change log
0.4ß (february 15, 2014)
CHROME EXTENSION
- Added possibility to receive messgages that were sent while the connection was unavailable. This feature will be enabled (server side on feb. 22, 2014).
FIREFOX EXTENSION
- Added possibility to receive messgages that were sent while the connection was unavailable. This feature will be enabled (server side on feb. 22, 2014).
ANDROID APP
- Pre Honeycomb (< 3.0): Added a setting to enable a permanent notification. If enabled you can send the current content of the clipboard by clicking it.
- Honeycomb and higher (3.0+): Added a setting to enable a notification when the clipboard content changes. When clicked, it will send the current clipboard content to the endpoints.
0.3ß (january 25, 2014)
IF YOUR CHROME EXTENSION IS UPDATED TO VERSION 0.3ß YOU NEED TO UPDATE THE ANDROID APK TOO!
CHROME EXTENSION
- Changed chat setup, a room will be created now (in stead of separate chat instances), this will greatly increase the message delivery time
- Fixed decryption bug (when encrypted data had more lines)
- You can send a message with CTRL+ENTER now
- When pasting text in the message text-area, the send button will be enabled now
- When connected, you can now see the availability of the Android device
- Small visual improvements
ANDROID APP
- Added connection status (when not connected and authenticated, you see what the app is doing to restore connection)
- Added first 'share' target (for plain text, meaning plain text can now be shared, which will be sent directly to the end points)
- Messages which cannot be sent (due to connection issues), will be sent whenever an internet connection becomes available.
- App will now automatically reconnect directly when an internet connection will become available (in stead of waiting for a certain amount of time)
- App now works on 2.2+ (previously it crashed)
0.2ß (january 19, 2014)
- Added encryption. You need to update both the Chrome Extension and the APK to make it work
0.1ß (january 16, 2014)
- Initial release
Link
Chrome Extension: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/message-beam-for-android/mlndbhjjfllliigpnpinfhmiaocogeba
Firefox Extension: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11837707/messagebeam/release/0.0.4/MessageBeam_0_0_4.xpi
Just install the Chrome Extension / Firefox Addon and the it will guide you, including the installation of the APK. The Android app is not yet available in the Play Store.
You can update the APK with this QR:
Direct links
Chrome extension (zip, source): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11837707/messagebeam/release/0.0.4/MessageBeam_0_0_4.zip
Firefox extension (xpi): https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11837707/messagebeam/release/0.0.4/MessageBeam_0_0_4.xpi
APK: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11837707/messagebeam/release/0.0.4/MessageBeam_0_0_4.apk
Older versions
0.3ß
Chrome extension (zip): http://goo.gl/BD1pge
Firefox extension (xpi): http://goo.gl/2AnEA3
APK: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11837707/messagebeam/release/MessageBeam.apk
0.2ß - https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/11837707/messagebeam/release/MessageBeam_0_2.apk
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