submitted 8 months ago by starlord@lemm.ee to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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Looking for recommendations on how to SMS from a computer, á la Pushbullet or some such. Currently using Google Messages with companion desktop/web app and love the experience, but am on a de-Googling quest and looking for alternatives.

Prefer FOSS options (love the Fossify stuff, for example) but an willing to pay a slight premium if required. Would like solution to be compatible with any web browser and Windows but Linux (Mint) would work, too.

Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

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[-] unmagical@lemmy.ml 37 points 8 months ago

You might want to look into KDE connect. I don't use it myself, but it might be what you're looking for.

[-] stepanzak@iusearchlinux.fyi 11 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Yes, but be aware that it only works when both devices are in the same LAN.

[+] TexMexBazooka@lemm.ee -21 points 8 months ago

So it’s totally useless as a communication tool

[-] unmagical@lemmy.ml 4 points 8 months ago

How so? I don't think that is referring to an SMS recipient, just the sender's computer and phone each running Connect need to be on the same network.

[+] TexMexBazooka@lemm.ee -7 points 8 months ago

Does it really need to be said that OP is probably trying to retain the ability to send messages outside of his own network?

[-] maniacalmanicmania@aussie.zone 11 points 8 months ago

It can do that. It's just that the computer and the device sending the messages need to be on the same network. Not the device receiving the messages.

[-] TexMexBazooka@lemm.ee 7 points 8 months ago

Ahhh okay okay, maybe I misunderstood. I was under the impression that it could only send messages between devices on the same LAN.

[-] maniacalmanicmania@aussie.zone 2 points 8 months ago

It's not the best integration though. Usually when someone sends a message I get a notification to 'Mark as read' or 'Reply'.

The first reply I send is seemless. But it doesn't start a messaging window or anything like that. If that same person sends a follow up message shortly after then the notification doesn't really work the same way again, or at all. I forget.

Perhaps I'm meant to be running the SMS applicstion all the time, which is a seperate widget or something and part of kdeconnect. I usually don't run this and I think it was because I ran into other issues with it (I think it tries to sync all your phone messages so perhaps if you have a GB or two of messages it struggles).

What I might do is keep it running today while working and see if that makes the integration work better, allow me to send messages from the computer on the fly etc.

[-] starlord@lemm.ee 2 points 8 months ago

I don't mind of both devices have to be on the same network. I tried KDE and it just didn't work the same way I was hoping. Will give it another shake.

I mean, perfect solution would be something like Google Voice where I could use it from any device with an internet connection, regardless of whether there a carrier device that's even on.

Twilio may be an option (and I have enough programming chops to make my own interface), just want attracted to the (reasonable) cost.

[-] Kid_Thunder@kbin.social 6 points 8 months ago

For Windows you can use KDE Connect (and also MacOS) or Microsoft Phone.

For Linux Mint there's KDE Connect or GSConnect (GNOME Extension) though I don't use GNOME often, I remember liking KDE Connect better still.

[-] BOFH666@lemmy.world 5 points 8 months ago

Does https://pushover.net/ work for you? Been using it for several years, works really well and can be used in several applications.

Or some minor scripting with curl.

[-] davel@lemmy.ml 3 points 8 months ago

Please be aware of comm rule 2: Don’t promote proprietary software

[-] starlord@lemm.ee 2 points 8 months ago

I'll look into it, but I'm in favor of SMS exclusively (syncing) so I can see all/whole conversations and to just get all notifications and quick-reply to the texts as I get them.

Could you elaborate on how to implement the curl solution?

[-] BOFH666@lemmy.world 4 points 8 months ago

I mis understood, sms is pretty much history over here, so I considered you where looking for some way of sending messages to your phone.

Pushover supports a simple api, which can be used with curl. A la: https://support.pushover.net/i44-example-code-and-pushover-libraries#unix

[-] fmstrat@lemmy.nowsci.com 4 points 8 months ago

I use Element (Matrix) on desktop, phone and tablet. Currently with signal, IRC, Discord, etc. I will eventually try the SMS bridge, but I hear it works well. I run my own non-federated server (synapse) in docker.

[-] solrize@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

I've used Twilio for that. There is a simple JSON API with code examples on their site.

[-] Dehydrated@lemmy.world 4 points 8 months ago

I don't think this is what OP is looking for

[-] colournoun@beehaw.org 2 points 8 months ago

It’s probably too complex for what you’re looking for, but https://www.kannel.org/ is a large-scale SMS gateway.

this post was submitted on 18 Feb 2024

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