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Comment by matt2000 | Hacker News Reader

matt2000

This is a great point. We were trying to figure out a way for people to first pass the app between devices locally so it could spread and be used in a situation where the internet was down, but we haven't figured anything out there yet. Maybe your idea of figuring out a use for it before that situation arises is a better idea.

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I think the app itself should be installable through bluetooth. if another user doesn't have this app installed, the app should be able to transfer its apk package to the user via bluetooth.

The potential problem is that you've just described a malware author's dream.

I know it's probably an unpopular opinion, but I don't believe that we should be distributing APKs outside of the Play channels. It takes us back to the PC distribution model, with all of the associated security and usability problems.

Do you mean the old PC distribution model with security and usability problems, but not the must be connected to a network constantly problem?

Not allowing apks via bluetooth seems like a usability issue too.

Yeah exactly, and this seems to be the reason that android doesn't allow apks to be sent over Bluetooth, so we haven't really found a solution so far unless you count swapping SD cards.

Really? Perhaps you know more than I do, but Android "not allowing apks to be sent over Bluetooth" seems pretty unlikely to me.

It doesn't allow you to easily get at apks you've downloaded from the Play store, if that's what you mean, but I think that's just an anti-piracy measure. An apk you've downloaded from somewhere else is, as far as I can tell, just another file. I can't imagine why (or how!) it'd stop you from exchanging them, particularly if you have some sort of custom Bluetooth client.

Does it really try to stop you?

Yeah if I remember correctly the built in Bluetooth file transfer actually won't send an apk, which was definitely surprising to us too. We could send it over our custom app, but that's the problem - what we're trying to send is the custom app itself.

I always send my apk via email, and my friends will install it. what's the problem with that? apk is a file, just like jpeg, mp3. rename it to whatever you like and then transfer.

You'd have to check if the block is solely based on the extension. If so, what about disguising it in a videofile with instructions on how to set it up?

Yes, I always name my .apk files to .jpg before sending over bluetooth.

>You take a picture of a protest happening near your home. Fearing a spread of the protest the government shuts down cellular and Internet access to most citizens. You write a short message about the protest in SplinterNet and attach the picture. When you next meet with your friends, you sync SplinterNet with them. They now have your photo and will spread it to their friends. You also now have all their messages, which includes photos taken of protests happening in other parts of the country. Any person who can reach a working Internet connection can post all of these photos to any sharing service or send directly to journalists to publicize.

This could become very popular in parts of India. I could see people using this share photos/songs with their friends.

Do think this might be a viable messaging option instead of paying for Internet minutes or SMS?

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