Coming Soon to Tella: Share Files Seamlessly, Even Without an Internet Connection!
Here at Localization Lab, we are thrilled to announce an exciting new feature currently in beta testing with our partners at Tella: Nearby Sharing!
This highly anticipated addition will revolutionize how you share files, making it easier and more accessible than ever before, especially in challenging environments.
At Localization Lab, we continuously advocate for tools that prioritize security, privacy, and usability for communities around the globe. The Nearby Sharing feature from Tella is a direct result of insights and experiences from our incredible Localization Lab community members, alongside Tella's dedicated users, who highlighted the critical need for reliable offline file transfer. Their valuable feedback has guided every step of this development, ensuring it truly meets real-world user needs.
In fact, the Tella team, through their product manager Caro Hadad, has consistently emphasized how user feedback shapes the application's evolution, as discussed in previous Tella Ask-Me-Anything community meetings by Localization Lab and their own Tella monthly community calls. They actively engage with users to understand their contexts and pressing issues, brainstorm new features, address language accessibility, and more. This collaborative approach, with the end-user at the center, directly led to the development of features such as Nearby Sharing to address real-world challenges faced by activists, journalists, and individuals collecting sensitive data.
What is Nearby Sharing?
Imagine needing to quickly share a document, photo, or video with someone nearby, but you have no internet connection. Traditionally, this would be a significant hurdle. Tella's new Nearby Sharing feature solves this by enabling offline file transfers via Wi-Fi, even when there's no internet access available.
This means, in cases when the internet is shut down or disrupted, or there is a possibility of eavesdropping online, you can:
Share files in remote areas: Whether you're in a rural community with limited connectivity or an urban environment with unreliable internet, you can still share critical information.
Collaborate instantly: Quickly exchange files with colleagues or friends in close proximity, fostering seamless collaboration.
Overcome data limitations: Share large files without consuming valuable mobile data.
Take a look at the demo video to learn more about how the feature works!
A Key Detail: Wi-Fi On, Internet Optional
One crucial point to emphasize is that Wi-Fi needs to be enabled on both devices for Nearby Sharing to work, even if you don't have an active internet connection. We understand that for many, "internet" and "Wi-Fi" are often used interchangeably. However, for this feature, Wi-Fi acts as the local communication pathway between devices, allowing them to "see" and transfer files to each other directly. Think of it like creating a mini, private network between your devices.
The second crucial point is, the whole exchange is fully encrypted: the information travels though the channel encrypted, so it doesn't matter if this is a Wi-Fi connection we don't trust .
This feature was co-created with technical and security experts and we will do an independent security audit before releasing it. We'll also be working with Tella to provide clear in-app guidance and educational resources to help everyone understand these distinctions and get the most out of Nearby Sharing. We also hope to be making this available in local languages too!
Seamless Cross-Platform Compatibility
We know our community uses a variety of devices, and Tella is committed to providing a truly universal experience. That's why Nearby Sharing will support a wide range of cross-platform transfers:
Android <> Android: Effortlessly share between your Android devices.
Android <> Desktop: Transfer files directly from your Android to your desktop.
Android <> iOS: Bridge the gap and share seamlessly between Android and Apple devices.
iOS <> iOS: Enjoy quick and secure sharing between your iPhones.
iOS <> Desktop: Transfer files directly from your iOS device to your computer.
Get Ready for the Beta Release!
The Tella team is working hard to perfect this feature, and we're excited to announce that the beta version of Nearby Sharing is expected to be ready by the end of September! The Tella team will also be showing a demo of this feature at the Global Gathering, so if you are going to be there, be sure to check out their session. The Tella team has already started an external security audit process to make sure the feature is robust, intuitive, and beneficial.
For more information, join the beta testing group, and be among the first to experience the power of offline file sharing with Tella. We believe this feature will be a game-changer for secure and accessible communication, and we can't wait for you to try it!
Your Feedback Fuels Our Innovation!
The development of Nearby Sharing is a testament to the power of community input. We at Localization Lab believe that the best tools are built in collaboration with the people who use them every day. As Tella moves into the beta testing phase, your insights will be more critical than ever in refining this feature and ensuring it meets the diverse needs and standards of our global community. There are a couple of ways you can participate and provide feedback:
Join the Beta testing group: If you're interested in testing the beta version of Nearby Sharing and providing your valuable feedback, please keep an eye on our channels or the Tella channels for updates on how to participate.
Join the Translation team: If you are interested in giving back to the community and making Tella available in your local language, become a contributor and join the translation team for Tella! A string release will occur before or during the beta release so that the most updated translations are incorporated into the application and the feature.
Your feedback helps us build a better product. Let the Tella team know what you think before the Beta release.
Join our community of translators! If you have questions about localizing Tella or want to learn more about Localization Lab, reach out today.
Together, we can continue to build a more secure and accessible future for digital rights and internet freedom.