Tether: iMessage, SMS, etc. on Linux
A Linux developer, frustrated by Apple's walled garden, built 'Tether' to bring core Continuity features like iMessage, SMS, and clipboard sync to his Linux desktop. This project stands out for its deep technical dive into Bluetooth protocols and reverse-engineering, addressing a common pain point for iPhone users who prefer open-source operating systems. The Hacker News community appreciates the impressive engineering feat while also debating open-source licensing and the role of existing solutions like KDE Connect.
The Lowdown
Tether is an ambitious open-source project by zackb aiming to bridge the interoperability gap between iPhones and Linux desktops, bringing features akin to Apple's 'Continuity'. Driven by personal frustration after switching to Linux full-time and missing conveniences like iMessage and OTP autofill, the author developed Tether to enable these functionalities.
- The project began with clipboard synchronization, which laid the groundwork for future features, always prioritizing mTLS security from day one.
- OTP code handling was ingeniously implemented via browser and mail extensions for broader compatibility, initially focusing on Firefox and Thunderbird.
- A significant breakthrough involved reverse-engineering Apple's Bluetooth protocols for iMessage, SMS, and notifications, drawing inspiration from existing projects like
ancs4linuxandBlueFerrywhile pursuing a clean-room MIT-licensed implementation. - Tether now supports iMessage, SMS, Notifications, Contact sync, File Transfer, Clipboard Sync, and OTP handling, fulfilling the author's primary goal of seamless OTP autofill.
- The author emphasizes that Tether was a 'scratch your own itch' project but is genuinely intended for everyone, welcoming contributions from the community. The project is a testament to the power of open-source development in tackling proprietary ecosystem limitations, offering a much-desired solution for a specific user demographic.
The Gossip
Licensing Liberations
The author's philosophical stance against copyleft licenses for interoperability protocols sparked immediate action. The developer of `ancs4linux`, one of the projects that inspired Tether, promptly relicensed their project from GPL to MIT, demonstrating a direct impact of the blog post's discussion on open-source licensing principles.
KDE Connect Quandaries
A recurring theme questioned Tether's necessity given the existence of KDE Connect. Commenters wondered what specific features Tether offered that KDE Connect lacked, or if contributing to an established FOSS project would have been more beneficial than creating a new one. The author's article implicitly answers this by stating KDE Connect didn't do what he wanted for iOS and its roadmap wouldn't include it, but the community still pondered the 'reinventing the wheel' aspect.
Apple's Ailments
Many commenters expressed strong support for the project as a direct challenge to Apple's perceived 'walled garden' approach and its lack of interoperability. They shared frustrations with Apple's ecosystem, particularly concerning issues like backups or integrating with non-Apple hardware, highlighting the value of projects like Tether in empowering users.