Show HN: Roamr – a CLI that picks the best saved WiFi, and tells you why

jensabacik 66 days ago |

Nice implementation. How do operating systems handle this by default? Do they stick to the last selected WiFi no matter the speed and signal strength, even if there are saved networks available?

Also, are you thinking of making this into an app that would selected and switch networks automatically? Like a Mac menubar app.

sourabh65 66 days ago | |

Thanks! OSes mostly stick with whatever you're on as long as it works — they don't re-check for quality once connected, so you get parked on a strong-but-slow 2.4 GHz network. That's the gap roamr pokes at.

Menubar app is the obvious next step. The part I keep getting stuck on is the design — suggest-only vs auto-switch, when to nudge, how much to show. If you've got thoughts on how you'd want it to behave, I'm all ears.

gus_massa 65 days ago | | |

Can it also recommend to use the data from the phone network when the WiFi gets too bad?

sourabh65 65 days ago | | |

Just tried it with my hotspot on - turns out it kind of already does. A hotspot is a WiFi network, so roamr saw it and recommended switching to it. It just can't see the cellular quality behind it, only the WiFi link.

gus_massa 65 days ago | | |

I was thinking about my phone. The notebook is most of the time static for hours, and I remember to check the WIFI each time I open it. The problem wit my phone is that I move and it keeps using the old WiFi long after there is a much better alternative.

sourabh65 64 days ago | | |

Yeah, same problem but worse when you're moving. Catch is roamr is a desktop tool - iOS and mostly Android lock the WiFi scan/switch APIs away from apps, so a roamr-style thing can't really exist on a phone. That restriction is exactly why your phone stays stuck.

shymaple 59 days ago |

Hey this is really a cool idea. I'd surely give it a try.

sourabh65 59 days ago | |

Thanks! Would love your feedback once you give it a try.

prathamesht0909 59 days ago |

Is there a windows version of it?

sourabh65 59 days ago | |

Not released yet, but it's actively in progress.