Bitchat – A decentralized messaging app that works over Bluetooth mesh networks

(github.com)

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lxgr ◴[07 Jul 25 00:34 UTC] No.44485515[source]▶

Very nice! Could this be published in the App Store, or does it use any APIs Apple considers off-limits?

I'm regularly frustrated by modern phone's complete inabilities to allow any communication when outside of mobile network or Wi-Fi coverage, not even within the two large walled gardens.

It would be so easy for Apple to extend iMessage to work peer-to-peer, at least between people that have already messaged each other before and while both screens are on. That's literally how AirDrop works, and having to send a "Notes" text back and forth is just silly.

replies(3): >>44485812 #>>44486152 #>>44488069 #

apetresc ◴[07 Jul 25 02:24 UTC] No.44486152[source]▶

>>44485515 #

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?

replies(11): >>44486183 #>>44486237 #>>44486306 #>>44486315 #>>44486381 #>>44486411 #>>44486424 #>>44486630 #>>44487729 #>>44494531 #>>44505574 #

1. __MatrixMan__ ◴[07 Jul 25 02:52 UTC] No.44486306[source]▶

>>44486152 #

When you're at a protest and the government shuts off the internet in response to the protest. It's happening right now in Togo, has been for ten days (https://pulse.internetsociety.org/en/shutdowns/).

replies(2): >>44486456 #>>44500108 #

2. Buttons840 ◴[07 Jul 25 03:22 UTC] No.44486456[source]▶

>>44486306 (TP) #

My eyes are opened as to how much more power the people would have if cell phones were all mesh network devices, especially as we enter a world where having a working cell phone is easier than having running water or food.

replies(1): >>44486721 #

3. __MatrixMan__ ◴[07 Jul 25 04:19 UTC] No.44486721[source]▶

>>44486456 #

I'm not holding my breath--it would seem that keeping the people down is more profitable.

But if it happens we'll have to figure out how to write partition tolerant apps, which I think would be a lot of fun. It would also make "going viral" so much more apt, as you might catch the content from people you got physically close to.

4. apetresc ◴[08 Jul 25 14:06 UTC] No.44500108[source]▶

>>44486306 (TP) #

I dunno, that still sounds like a perfect use case for a third-party app like the one this post is about. I'm not sure government crackdowns are a core enough experience that it needs a first-party app from Apple.

replies(1): >>44505436 #

5. immibis ◴[09 Jul 25 01:10 UTC] No.44505436[source]▶

>>44500108 #

They happen regularly in the USA and Europe now.

replies(1): >>44513724 #

6. apetresc ◴[09 Jul 25 19:08 UTC] No.44513724{3}[source]▶

>>44505436 #

Government shutdowns of the internet happen "regularly" in the USA? Name one time.

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