←back to thread

770 points ananddtyagi | 2 comments | | HN request time: 0.005s | source
Show context
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?

replies(42): >>44487111 #>>44487126 #>>44487137 #>>44487162 #>>44487174 #>>44487219 #>>44487306 #>>44487401 #>>44487416 #>>44487875 #>>44487918 #>>44487994 #>>44488076 #>>44488351 #>>44488419 #>>44488612 #>>44488911 #>>44488986 #>>44489072 #>>44489735 #>>44489867 #>>44489897 #>>44489908 #>>44490304 #>>44490306 #>>44490405 #>>44490521 #>>44490567 #>>44490746 #>>44491021 #>>44491277 #>>44491800 #>>44491846 #>>44492206 #>>44492341 #>>44493200 #>>44493256 #>>44494750 #>>44494963 #>>44499945 #>>44515267 #>>44523816 #
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.

replies(6): >>44487297 #>>44487298 #>>44487299 #>>44487423 #>>44487841 #>>44489407 #
zawaideh ◴[] No.44489407[source]
First use that comes to mind is Gaza where Israel cut off power, bombed cell towers and internet cables. Something like this could help get messages out.
replies(1): >>44494939 #
1. Ray20 ◴[] No.44494939[source]
I don't think this is relevant. Free communication of people is the last thing regimes like those that govern Gaza need. My money on that local authorities will literally execute people for simply having such apps on their phones.
replies(1): >>44500884 #
2. immibis ◴[] No.44500884[source]
By "regimes that govern Gaza" I presume you're talking about Likud? They are the ones dropping bombs, but they don't have boots on the ground, so they can't inspect everyone's cellphone and catch people for having the wrong apps installed.