Use an instant messaging app without the need to rely on the Internet connection: this is essentially the meaning of the project to carry out which the Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has made its contribution: “Bitchat“, This is the name of the application, immediately catalyzed the attention on the web and on the main social networks.
But how is it possible to create a real -time conversation between electronic devices without using a traditional internet connection? The system, simply, is based on the exploitation of the Bluetooththanks to which it is possible not only to make two cell phones interact but also create a small local network capable of expanding the usual and limited range of action of the well -known wireless technology.
To illustrate the functioning of his app was Dorsey himself, who published a specific technical document on Github, a portal that provides a precious hosting service for the development of various software projects. Bitchat is simply “An application of decentralized peer-to-peer messaging that operates on Mesh Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) networks”explains the Twitter co-founder. The program allows you to send text chat encrypted without the need to rely on internet networks based on mobile or wi-fi connection, but relying only on a low energy consumption Bluetooth network.
Through Bitchat two users who are within 30 meters away from each other, they can therefore communicate in a totally anonymous. The range of action increases if there are more than two users close to each other, able to create a sort of communication bridge and therefore create a local network that can potentially cover up to 200 meters in optimal conditions.
To use the app it is not necessary to register or provide any telephone or e-mail number: everything is completely anonymous. Just download the program and generate a random ID, then you can immediately start chatting. The messages, however protected by encryptionthey remain saved for a maximum of 12 hours in the event that the recipient is not at Bluetooth: once the time has expired, and further attempts have been made, the text is canceled.
The project is currently limited to traveling on a Low Energy Bluetooth network, but the goal is to expand the range of action with other systems, such as the WiFi Direct or the
Long ray technology Lora, able to reach even 15 km. For the moment we find ourselves in a test phase, open to lucky a few, so we will have to wait even before seeing the Basin of the Testers expanded.