Installing the PWA
Talk App is a Progressive Web App (PWA). This means it runs entirely on your device, offering a fast, native app experience without needing an app store.
How to Install
- iOS (iPhone/iPad): Open the app in Safari. Tap the Share icon at the bottom, scroll down, and tap "Add to Home Screen".
- Android: Open the app in Chrome. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right, and select "Install App" or "Add to Home screen".
- Desktop: Open the app in Chrome or Edge. Look for the install icon (a screen with a down arrow) in the right side of the address bar.
Why Install to Home Screen?
Running Talk App from a standard web browser (like just leaving it open in a Safari tab) puts your data at risk. Mobile browsers routinely clear their cache and temporary website storage to free up space. If you run the app from a browser tab, your saved talks may randomly disappear.
Benefits of Home Screen Installation:
- Persistent Storage: Installing the app signals to your device that this is a permanent application, preventing the automatic deletion of your database.
- Offline Use: The app functions completely without an internet connection.
- Full Screen: Removes the browser URL bar for a distraction-free writing environment.
Managing Talks & Formatting
Managing Your Talks
- Adding Talks: Use the "+" button to create a new blank talk, create a new talk from a stored backup on your device or create a new talk by means of a Shared Code.
- Editing Talks: Tap on any talk to view it. Tap on the Options Menu (3 horizontal dots) to reveal the Edit Talk button to enter Edit Mode.
- Deleting Talks: Long-press (tap and hold) on any talk in your list to open the popup menu, where you can select Pin to Top or Delete Talk, or for opened talks, tap on the Options Menu (3 horizontal dots) to reveal the Delete Talk button to delete the current talk.
Markdown Formatting
Talk App uses custom Markdown to quickly format your outlines and insert interactive elements. Use the following syntax in Edit Mode:
- Headers: Use # for large headers, ## for medium, and ### for small headers.
- Bold & Italic: Use **bold text** and *italic text*.
- Lists: Use a dash - Item or a number 1. Item at the start of a line.
- Color Formatting: Highlight text by using the format ==color: Your Text==. Supported colors include red, green, blue, and purple. For a standard yellow highlight, just use ==Your Text==.
- Interactive Buttons & References: Create tap-able popups (perfect for references and quotes).
For a Popup Button, use the syntax: {Button Title}(The hidden text that pops up)
For an Inline Reference, use the syntax: [Inline Title](The hidden text that pops up)
Advanced Features: Sharing & AI
Share Talk Feature
You can securely transfer a talk to another Talk App user. When you tap "Share Talk", the app generates a unique 6-digit code.
Security of Transfer: To share a talk, the data is sent over a secure HTTPS connection to a temporary staging folder on our server. The receiving user types in the 6-digit code in the "Receive via Code" menu to download it. For your security, once the 6-digit code is used—or 30 minutes pass—the data is automatically and permanently destroyed.
Gemini AI Integration
Talk App features a built-in AI assistant powered by Google Gemini to help you summarize, rewrite, or expand on selected text. Talk App uses a "Bring Your Own Key" (BYOK) architecture to keep the app free and secure.
Setup Instructions:
- Go to Google AI Studio and log in with your Google Account.
- Click Create API Key.
- Copy the generated API Key.
- Open the Settings panel in your Talk App and paste the key into the API Key input field.
Once set up, highlight any text while in Edit Mode. The AI Assistant button will appear, allowing you to enter custom prompts to modify the selected text.
Privacy, Security, and Backups
100% Device-Local Privacy
Your talks are entirely private. Talk App stores your database securely in your device's local browser storage. We do not have a cloud server, and we do not have access to your data. Aside from the temporary 30-minute storage used specifically during a "Share Talk" transfer, your writings never leave your device.
Crucial: Manual Backups are Required!
Because there is no cloud synchronization, if you delete the app from your Home Screen, your device will instantly and permanently erase all of your talks.
If you break your phone, lose it, or upgrade to a new device, your talks will not transfer automatically.
How to Backup Your Data
To protect your hard work, you must manually export your data:
- Export Single Talk: Tap on the Options Menu (3 horizontal dots) to reveal the Save Backup button to download a .json file of that specific talk to your device's Downloads folder or to Save to your File Manager.
- Export All (Recommended): Go to the Settings panel and use the "Download All Talks" feature to download a zipped backup file containing your entire library.
- Restoring: Use the "Add Talk" -> "Restore from Backup" option to import your saved files back into the app at any time, or on a new device.
Terms of Use & Disclaimers
1. Gemini AI Privacy & Data Flow
Talk App utilizes a "Bring Your Own Key" (BYOK) architecture for its optional AI features. If you choose to configure and use the Gemini AI integration:
- Direct Connection: Your highlighted text and custom prompts are sent directly from your device to Google's servers for processing.
- No Interception: Talk App does not intercept, read, collect, or store any of your AI prompts or the generated responses on our servers.
- Third-Party Terms: By utilizing this feature, you agree to Google's API Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Please be aware that AI models can occasionally hallucinate or generate inaccurate outputs.
2. Limitation of Liability & "As Is" Software
Talk App is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. By using the app, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
- Data Loss: Because your data is stored exclusively on your local device to maximize your privacy, we are not liable for any loss of data resulting from app deletion, browser cache clearing, device failure, or any other circumstance. Creating regular manual backups is solely your responsibility.
- App Usage & Output: We are not liable for the content you create, share, or generate using the AI features. You are solely responsible for how you use the app and the accuracy of any information you present or share through it.
- No Warranties: We make no guarantees regarding the continuous availability, error-free operation, or absolute security of the app or its temporary sharing features.