If we could bridge over Meshtastic, this would be so good.
Bitchat – A decentralized messaging app that works over Bluetooth mesh networks
141–150 of 457 posts
Re: Bitchat – A decentralized messaging app that works over Bluetooth mesh networks
#142I’ve been toying with a concept inspired by Apple’s Find My network: Imagine a decentralized, delay-tolerant messaging system where messages hop device-to-device (e.g., via Bluetooth, UWB, Wi-Fi Direct), similar to how “Find My” relays location via nearby iPhones. Now add a twist: • Senders pay a small fee to send a message. • Relaying devices earn a micro-payment (could be tokens, sats, etc.) for carrying the messag…
I cannot imagine how that would work when there are gaps between populations, such as villages. There are so many places where you have gap of several kilometers until the next village or city. How do you plan to bridge that gap?
And if someone tries and fails to send a message across such a gap, is it stored on every phone in the vicinity? That could lead to unwanted conditions (large queues, multiple delivery), which also muddle the accounting. But not doing so practically guarantees the message won't be delivered.
Re: Bitchat – A decentralized messaging app that works over Bluetooth mesh networks
#143A bit different, as it's mainly for voice - but I made an app 'Murmur : Bluetooth Group Calls' - that lets you hold group voice calls and message via a mesh of Bluetooth LE connections. It's available on Android and iOS. https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/murmur-bluetooth-group-calls/i... Doesn't really get any downloads, so not sure there's much demand for this - but I use it with some shokz bone conducting headphones fo…
Any chance it could use seamless transport switching? It would be so awesome if it could switch to cellular(if available) or wifi-direct as needed on the fly. I have been thinking about creating such an app but lacked the time. If it's open source, I would love to help. I will give your app a try.
I actually have this kind of working on a branch - really don't fancy hosting any infrastructure myself though - so I was intending it to be a Windows service or docker container you have to setup and pair with. Once you've done that - the endpoint is included in any group you create, and treated as an extra node in the graph. If available and lower latency than other routes, it'll be used.
Was trying to keep things simple though - the separate server seemed a step too far for most people I talked to about it.
Re: Bitchat – A decentralized messaging app that works over Bluetooth mesh networks
#144A bit different, as it's mainly for voice - but I made an app 'Murmur : Bluetooth Group Calls' - that lets you hold group voice calls and message via a mesh of Bluetooth LE connections. It's available on Android and iOS. https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/murmur-bluetooth-group-calls/i... Doesn't really get any downloads, so not sure there's much demand for this - but I use it with some shokz bone conducting headphones fo…
Looks interesting, especially that use case. May I ask which headphone you are using? I have the older openmove from shokzs and voice isn't really understandable while riding a bike.
We've got Openrun Pros - wind can be a problem, but if you cover the mics with a head band, it actually works pretty well. (To act as a crude wind muff)
Re: Bitchat – A decentralized messaging app that works over Bluetooth mesh networks
#145I’ve been toying with a concept inspired by Apple’s Find My network: Imagine a decentralized, delay-tolerant messaging system where messages hop device-to-device (e.g., via Bluetooth, UWB, Wi-Fi Direct), similar to how “Find My” relays location via nearby iPhones. Now add a twist: • Senders pay a small fee to send a message. • Relaying devices earn a micro-payment (could be tokens, sats, etc.) for carrying the messag…
I like the idea, I just don't know how to implement a robust micropayment system that does not require a lot of messages back and forth for a transaction. Given the intended use-case, that would not work.
Re: Bitchat – A decentralized messaging app that works over Bluetooth mesh networks
#146Too bad it's not cross-platform which makes any real use pretty limited.
Re: Bitchat – A decentralized messaging app that works over Bluetooth mesh networks
#147I’ve been toying with a concept inspired by Apple’s Find My network: Imagine a decentralized, delay-tolerant messaging system where messages hop device-to-device (e.g., via Bluetooth, UWB, Wi-Fi Direct), similar to how “Find My” relays location via nearby iPhones. Now add a twist: • Senders pay a small fee to send a message. • Relaying devices earn a micro-payment (could be tokens, sats, etc.) for carrying the messag…
Delta chat does this, without the micropayment.
Delta Chat can transfer messages using a Bluetooth Mesh Network? That's new to me.
Re: Bitchat – A decentralized messaging app that works over Bluetooth mesh networks
#148Anyone else read it as "Bitch at"?
Re: Bitchat – A decentralized messaging app that works over Bluetooth mesh networks
#149I’ve been toying with a concept inspired by Apple’s Find My network: Imagine a decentralized, delay-tolerant messaging system where messages hop device-to-device (e.g., via Bluetooth, UWB, Wi-Fi Direct), similar to how “Find My” relays location via nearby iPhones. Now add a twist: • Senders pay a small fee to send a message. • Relaying devices earn a micro-payment (could be tokens, sats, etc.) for carrying the messag…
Neat academic toy - unless you can predict why a large-scale, long-term internet outage should happen. Aside from that, most of what your concept includes (but uses Internet instead of BT) exists with Nostr+Lightning.
There have been incidents where governments disabled routing to specific services or the Internet entirely to hinder demonstrations.
Re: Bitchat – A decentralized messaging app that works over Bluetooth mesh networks
#150Earlier quoted context omitted.
Legit curious what the use case would be, that would justify Apple adding it in. Like, when do you need to text someone who's within Bluetooth range but somehow has no WiFi or cell reception?
Hiking, Airplane, stadia (here in India the tower capacity get exhausted), underground metro etc
Hiking? Probably not very useful since you must be within Bluetooth range and you can whisper to your chat partner.
If you're hiking in the remote area youre much better off with LoRaWAN or amateur radio transceivers anyway.