Wi-Fi Quick Chat

Simple local Wi-Fi chat app that uses WebSockets and UDP; Made with DroidScript

Features

• Fully offline

Installation

There are two ways of using this app, using the DroidScript IDE or by installing the APK.

Using DroidScript

• Download and install DroidScript from the Google Play Store or from their website
• Download the SPK from releases
• Run the app in DroidScript

Installing the APK

• Download the APK from releases
• Install the APK on your device
• Run the app

Usage

It's pretty simple, you just open up the app on two or more devices and start chatting. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or use one device as a hotspot and then connect the other device to it for it to work.

How it Works

It creates a simple http server, after that, it broadcasts its IP with the PORT via UDP. Other devices which are listening to the UDP port can then connect to the webserver.

Problems and Reflection

1. Early on developing this app, I realized that I should've used NodeJS instead of DroidScript's built-in app.CreateServer. It would've made the app support more features.
   • Because I used DroidScript's built-in app.CreateServer, I couldn't add support for sending media because there was no control over the max upload size.
2. I should've used an HTML template because I would've been able to style te app more.
   • This would've allowed me to add video/audio calling support via WebRTC.
3. The messages list doesn't scroll to the last message even if I call msgList.ScrollToItemByIndex; A problem with DroidScript itself.
4. Sending UDP messages when the device is being used as a hotspot on doesn't work.
   • The device that has its hotspot turned on can't broadcast UDP messages to the devices connected to its hotspot, that's why I added a work-around for discovery
   • There is a small delay when sending a message from the hotspot device to any other device, but there isn't when it's the other way around.