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A decentralized peer-to-peer messaging application that operates over Bluetooth

bitchat.free

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Re: A decentralized peer-to-peer messaging application that operates over Bluetooth

#181

Post by brk »

nicois wrote: post #26

One missing feature: deferred message propagation. As far as I understand, while messages will be rebroadcast until a TTL is exhausted, there is no mechanism to retain in-transit messages and retransmit them to future peers. While this adds overheads, it's table stakes for real-life usage. You should be able to write a message and not rely on the recipient being available when you press send. You should also be able…

Not just deferred message propagation, but also a way to setup medium to high powered rebroadcasting stations. For political unrest scenarios, you don't always need 2-way communication, but you do need to distribute critical info. A listen-only mode makes it very difficult to track individual users (no RF transmissions), and would cover a large percentage of a critical use case.

All of this is solved with the store-and-forward model that you highlight.

A Lora dongle seems to be better than BT, though potentially incriminating.

Re: A decentralized peer-to-peer messaging application that operates over Bluetooth

#182

Post by rm30 »

The project is interesting, the concept too, the idea of indipendent communication tools also.

I'll tell you a story.

Usain Bolt, the world 100/200m recordman, is not faster than cheeta. He needs a motorbike or a car to be beat a cheeta. But even with a car or motorbike is unlikely is going to overtak a cheeta on the ground of savannah.

This to tell you are thinking about optimizations of a system while you need to choose the right system for the environment.

A 433 MHz based link and a strong modulation is much suitable solution than a BT class 2 device included in the phone.

And here the real hack, most of phones has an integrated FM receiver, higher sensibility than BT, a simple FM transmitter (88-108 MHz) and problem solved.

Re: A decentralized peer-to-peer messaging application that operates over Bluetooth

#183

Post by elicash »

maqp wrote: post #9

Could someone please explain in what situation do you use a BlueTooth messaging app? Like, even BT5 range won't exceed 400 meters. What good is this? You're not going to send images to journalists from protests with it (you'd do wisely to keep it in airplane mode until you get home and then you'd upload them to their securedrop or whatever), and you don't need off-band security to let the kids know it's dinner time.

Asking "what good is this?" in a dismissive tone should be against the rules in a space like Hacker News.

Re: A decentralized peer-to-peer messaging application that operates over Bluetooth

#184

Post by cykros »

3RTB297 wrote: post #173
trueno wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

that is a super good callout. this is prob the 100th time ive read about bitchat here, and the comments are largely the same (use briarchat, none of these really work that well, i dont like jack dorsey, etc) every time. but this is interesting. and i agree strongly with this: "While this adds overheads, it's table stakes for real-life usage." i suppose events like iran are really making me wonder if this stuff is pos…

It's funny how 3 or 4 similar BLE systems each are slightly different, and yet no one wants to just merge all the features for an obviously superior product. Everyone seems fine squabbling about which incomplete app/system is better. Just take what's there and include the obvious next steps: - Meshtastic and Meshcore ability to use relay nodes for long range BLE networks (Briar doesn't allow) - Store and hold encrypt…

Bitchat does work with Meshtastic as of the most recent release. It also lets you self host a relay, because it uses Nostr relays. I'm not so sure about white/black listing so yours DOES get used, but you can absolutely host one. Routing through the Internet is something both Bitchat and Briar support, Briar through tor, Bitchat through Nostr (optionally also through tor). Disabling Internet routing at this time may require turning off Internet for Bitchat -- haven't dug on that one.

I do like the store and forward idea, though a thought on that is that while it makes sense for DM's, it makes less sense for group chats, which, being real time, make the shelf life of messages a bit short. It makes good sense for forum like content though. I think so far Bitchat has treated this as a bit out of scope, at least at this stage of development, and it is a reason that indeed, Briar is still quite relevant.

Bitchat only just recently even added ad hoc wifi support, so it's still very early days.

Re: A decentralized peer-to-peer messaging application that operates over Bluetooth

#186

Post by zikduruqe »

gloxkiqcza wrote: post #6
jagermo wrote: post #3

I don't know. I do not like Jack Dorey's involvement. Not a big fan of his. I'd rather use Briar ( https://briarproject.org/ )

There’s no app for Apple platforms making it a lot less useful.

How about Berty?

https://berty.tech/features

Re: A decentralized peer-to-peer messaging application that operates over Bluetooth

#187

Post by deknos »

rm30 wrote: post #182

The project is interesting, the concept too, the idea of indipendent communication tools also. I'll tell you a story. Usain Bolt, the world 100/200m recordman, is not faster than cheeta. He needs a motorbike or a car to be beat a cheeta. But even with a car or motorbike is unlikely is going to overtak a cheeta on the ground of savannah. This to tell you are thinking about optimizations of a system while you need to c…

but for that to work, you need to attach an antenna, no? and where do i get such an FM transmitter? AND android does not support it in the software level, and there's no protocol for the waves?

Re: A decentralized peer-to-peer messaging application that operates over Bluetooth

#188

Post by elAhmo »

contracertainty wrote: post #175
Philip-J-Fry wrote: post #147

This feels like something Apple should do with iPhones. Find My and air tags was already a huge success because of the ubiquitous nature of iPhones. Apple could add this to iPhone, sell it as privacy focussed. Let you message anyone in your iMessage contacts with a new bubble colour. Propagate over Bluetooth when you don't have internet. I can see a snazzy Apple reveal for this showcasing it's use on a cruise ship, i…

Unfortunately iPhones aren't ubiquitous outside their home market. It would have to be on Android to be really useful in the places this would be really useful , i.e. places where regimes turn off the internet when things go badly for them (current situation in the US notwithstanding). That's not to say iPhones shouldn't have it, I'm all for that.

Home market for iPhones is the whole world.

Re: A decentralized peer-to-peer messaging application that operates over Bluetooth

#189

Post by maqp »

c16 wrote: post #159
maqp wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is this LoRa BT network thing something that actually exists? Is there a coverage map?

There are yes for Meshtastic. This map seems to have the highest coverage of people sharing their nodes, but in reality in my area there are significantly more which are not shown on the map. https://meshtastic.liamcottle.net/

Whoa, at the same time it's negligible but also a LOT more than I expected. Thanks!

Re: A decentralized peer-to-peer messaging application that operates over Bluetooth

#190

Post by exe34 »

maqp wrote: post #79
exe34 wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've checked, they're not there. Now what?

Tell them to install bitchat. How to deliver the message to them is left as an exercise to the reader.

I just realised the name works very well if you choose the appropriate word splitting position.
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