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770 points ananddtyagi | 4 comments | | HN request time: 0.827s | source
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moneywaters ◴[] No.44487086[source]
I’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 message one hop further. • End-to-end encrypted, fully decentralized, optionally anonymous.

Basically, a “postal network” built on people’s phones, without needing a traditional internet connection. Works best in areas with patchy or no internet, or under censorship.

Obvious challenges: • Latency and reliability (it’s not real-time). • Abuse/spam prevention. • Power consumption and user opt-in. • Viable incentive structures.

What do you think? Is this viable? Any real-world use cases where this might be actually useful — or is it just a neat academic toy?

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jacobgkau ◴[] No.44487126[source]
> Works best in areas with patchy or no internet, or under censorship.

The biggest problem I immediately foresee is that this sounds backwards. It doesn't work best in areas with patchy or no internet, it works best in areas with lots of participating devices. It's most needed in areas with patchy or no internet, but those areas are likely to be the opposite of the areas with lots of participating devices.

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notfish ◴[] No.44487841[source]
Its best for places like football games or festivals, where the traditional network gets overrun
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1. miroljub ◴[] No.44488077[source]
If you go to a football game or a festival to frantically keep messaging, better stay at home.
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2. benbristow ◴[] No.44488556[source]
Spoken like someone who's never lost their pal at a festival
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3. bravoetch ◴[] No.44495206[source]
And doesn't see the potential sexy use-cases...
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4. immibis ◴[] No.44502720{3}[source]
You are not getting laid by showing off your Bluetooth mesh chat app. Go to horny jail bonk