Repository
https://github.com/genonbeta/TrebleShot
INTRODUCTION
I've been with slacking with reviewing free and open source applications lately. Since last week Friday, I haven't reviewed any mobile application due to some discouragement. However, I'm back to keep to my initial plan of promoting at least one free and open source application everyday. Considering the return, I'll be starting with TrebleShot which is one of the numerous free and open source android application. However, it is absolutely unique in its own way. I can still remember what happened when I was much younger; I used a lot of Java phones of which all of them could send and receive files using Bluetooth but only few would let you send and receive text messages through that same medium. But time flies and android has taken Java away from a lot of users (including me).
Now, android is really taking over, but then, a lot of android users still stress themselves using Bluetooth, when Bluetooth consumes a lot of time. Now, this is where the TrebleShot app comes in. Let me introduce TrebleShot to you; an app that will send and receive files for you in seconds, not just that; an app that brought back the messaging feature that Bluetooth offered.
Introducing TrebleShot.....
WHAT IS TREBLESHOT?
TrebleShot is a free and open source mobile application which helps users to send or receive files in seconds without using internet connection. TrebleShot also offers a messaging feature which users can use to send and receive text messages.
An Open-Source Android application that allows you to send and receive files over available connections, and pause and resume transfer process even after something went wrong.
TrebleShot application does not require any sort of internet connection nor wired connection; all the app requires is a Wi-Fi and Hotspot connection which is wireless. This app has a lot of features which includes the ability to:
Pause, resume and reconnect transfers,
Share heavy (large) files,
Share any type of content; video, photo, music, etc.
Share files between multiple devices at the same time,
Send and receive text messages, and
Share folders for backup and other purposes.
TrebleShot app can be connected to multiple devices at the same time, and there is no limitations to the app size that can be shared across these devices. These devices can be connected to one another using Wi-Fi and Hotspot connection and some other methods. When users connect their devices, they can send any file format which they intend to.
I actually got to know about the app through an app downloader which is designed to only show/download free and open source applications. Weeks ago, I saw this same application (TrebleShot) but didn't want to download it as I underestimated what I saw at the download page. Just recently, I don't know what pushed me to click and download the app. However, it must be something good that made me do so. I proceeded for an installation of the app and afterwards, I launched it with no regrets.
You can also download the app from Google Play
Features
TrebleShot app has a lot of features but then, I'll be listing and explaining the most unique features of the app which includes the Transfers, File explorer, and the Text stream feature. Without further delays, let's go into an explanation of each and every feature mentioned.
- Transfers: The transfer page is the main page of the app. When a user launches the TrebleShot app, he or she is directed to the transfer page where he or she would be able to send or receive files. On the transfer page, there are four features I'll love to point out. First of them all is the send button which is positioned at the down part of the transfer page. When a user clicks on this feature, a new display is shown. The new display/page/screen which is shown shows all the applications, files, songs, photos and videos in a very perfect alphabetically arranged order. Users can then select and send whichever file they intend to. The second feature I'll like to point out is the multi selection feature. This feature is actually a rare one which I haven't seen before. This feature allows users to select and send more than one type of file at a time. Most of the similar applications would only allow users to send multiple apps or files or videos at a time. Meanwhile, TrebleShot app replaces the 'or' with 'and'; it allows users to send multiple apps, files, songs, photos and videos at the same time. Next in line is the receive feature. Givers also have the capability to receive. Users are not just able to send files, they can be at the receiving end too. The receive button is used to receive files from the sender. When a user clicks on the receive button, a new screen is shown. In the new screen are four different methods which the user can use to connect his or her device to the sender's device. The user can either setup his or her Hotspot, use existing networks, scan a QR code or enter an IP Address. In addition to these 4 different options, users can also connect his or her device to a previously connected device. When I launched the app and was directed to the transfer page, I clicked on 'send', and selected the files I intended to send. After I was done selecting, I clicked on the send icon (an arrow) and I was prompted to connect my device to another device. Due to the fact that I had no one to send to, I clicked on a check icon which was at the top right corner of the screen and the files became pending as it awaited a connection.
- File Explorer: The file explorer feature is the second feature on the TrebleShot app. Users can easily access the feature by swiping the screen from the right to the left (while at the transfer page/feature). A file explorer organizes electronic files into directories, folders and sub folders. It also provides an interface which makes it easy for users to navigate and find files. Some of the common functions of the file explorer feature are; search for files/folders, open files/folders, create folders, mount folders, rename folders, delete folders, and to add folders to the shortcut. Looking at all the functions I've mentioned above, you can see how important the file explorer feature is. Though the uses of the feature are much, I mostly use the feature to search and find files (app, video and music files). The last time I used this feature, I used it to search for some applications, and when I couldn't find anyone of them, I used the search icon at the top right corner of the screen to search for them.
- Text Stream: The text stream feature is the most amazing feature of the TrebleShot app. Like I said earlier; I can still remember what happened when I was much younger. I could send text messages to people around me using my device's Bluetooth connection. Now, android has taken over Java and there is no more a sign of the messaging feature (both on Bluetooth and the popular Wi-Fi connection). I thought the feature was all gone until I saw this feature embedded in the TrebleShot app. This feature allows (connected) users to send and receive text messages without an internet connection and without sending SMS. Note: the possibility of sending these texts depends on the state/strength of the connection; if the users Wi-Fi/Hotspot connection can't go far, it is suggested that the users stay around one another. However, if the user's Wi-Fi/Hotspot connection can go as far as a hundred meter, users can go a bit far from one another, yet maintaining not more than a hundred meter distance. Isn't it feature how such feature exists? I also discovered a sub feature which is embedded under the text stream feature; users can save their texts as draft, copy the text to clipboard and share their texts with other applications (before or after the text is sent). When I tried sending a text, I was prompted to connect to another device before being able to send or receive any text. Due to the fact that I had no device around me (to connect), I saved the text as a draft.
TrebleShot VS Xshare (a similar app)
TrebleShot is not the only app in its category, one of the competing apps is the Xshare app. Xshare is also used to share/transfer files from one device to another. But then, let us do some comparisons of these two applications.
- TrebleShot application has never ever asked for/use any of my personal information like my name, gender, location, email, etc. TrebleShot allows me to use its features without any of such information mentioned above. On the other hand, when I launched the Xshare application, I was told that some of the features of the app may require my personal informations which includes my name, gender, location, email, etc. I wasn't much comfortable with the informations needed and I clicked on the disagree button which immediately took me out of the app (for disagreeing with the terms and condition).
- TrebleShot application also gives me the capability to open any type of file before sending/deleting it.
On the other hand, I cannot open any file on Xshare. The Xshare app is strictly a sharing app and gives no room for users to open any file. Therefore, I could possibly send the wrong file to the receiver.
- Since I launched the TrebleShot app, I observed that no data (internet connection) has been used by the app. On the other hand, I discovered that Xshare has been using my data (internet connection) without my permission. I also discover that it is used to display ads. Meanwhile, TrebleShot app never shows ads to its users.
- I really value the nightmode/darkmode feature of mobile applications. TrebleShot app offers me the ability to enable a dark theme on my device. On the other hand, Xshare does not have this feature; on Xshare, the theme is forever bright.
- Last but not the least is that the TrebleShot app offers me the ability to send texts (to a connected device) without using SMS or any internet connection. On the other hand, Xshare app does not have the messaging feature, neither does it have any feature which is related to messaging.
How to get started with TrebleShot
- Download and install the latest version of the app. I recommend you do this using the Google Play link
- When you launch the application, there would be three stages of setup which you may want to do. After doing the setup, click on the check button.
- After you click on the check button, you will be directed to the transfer page where you can send or receive files.
- Click on the send button and select the files which you intend to send.
- When you're about to send these files, you'll be prompted to connect your device to the receivers device. Use any of the 4 methods which will be shown for you.
- After connecting your device to the receiver's device, the files will be immediately sent.
If you want to receive, then;
- Click on the receive button,
- You'll be prompted to connect to the sender's device, Use any of the 4 methods which will be shown for you.
Remark
TrebleShot is a very good and needful app. I rate it 5/5 stars because it has all the necessary features and even more.
Resources
Majority of the content written in this blog post is from my personal experience with the app. Images are mostly screenshots and sourcing has been done where necessary.