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!
- unmagical ( @unmagical@lemmy.ml ) 28•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 ( @stepanzak@iusearchlinux.fyi ) 8•8 months ago
Yes, but be aware that it only works when both devices are in the same LAN.
- TexMexBazooka ( @TexMexBazooka@lemm.ee ) 1•8 months ago
So it’s totally useless as a communication tool
- unmagical ( @unmagical@lemmy.ml ) 4•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 ( @TexMexBazooka@lemm.ee ) 4•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 ( @maniacalmanicmania@aussie.zone ) English7•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 ( @TexMexBazooka@lemm.ee ) 4•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 ( @maniacalmanicmania@aussie.zone ) English2•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.
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 ( @Kid_Thunder@kbin.social ) 5•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.
- fmstrat ( @fmstrat@lemmy.nowsci.com ) English4•7 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.
- colournoun ( @colournoun@beehaw.org ) 2•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.