peertalk is a small Cocoa library for iOS and macOS that enables apps to communicate over USB (and also supports TCP), with an emphasis on simplicity and low-latency connections. The project is aimed at scenarios where you want a reliable, direct link between a Mac app and an iOS app without relying on Wi-Fi discovery, manual hostnames, or network exposure. A key motivation is that a USB link is inherently constrained to the devices at each end of the cable, which can make the communication model feel more contained and straightforward for certain tooling or companion-app setups. Typical use cases include developer tools, companion displays, device-to-desktop instrumentation, or any workflow where an iOS device acts as a peripheral to a desktop app. The library is intentionally focused: it’s not trying to be a full networking framework, but rather a practical way to “hug it out over USB” for app-to-app messaging.
Features
- App-to-app communication over USB for iOS and macOS
- Optional TCP transport for network-based connections
- Low-latency messaging suitable for interactive tooling
- Avoids typical Wi-Fi discovery and manual network setup
- Designed for paired desktop + mobile companion workflows
- Lightweight Cocoa library intended for embedding in apps