Latest news with #Bitchat
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Bitchat vs WhatsApp — New App ‘Without Internet' Sparks Discussion: ‘How About Phone-Free Sitchat'
Last Updated: Bitchat follows a Bluetooth Low Energy mesh networking system, creating a local web of connected devices. A message sent through Bitchat is split into tiny chunks of data packets. Imagine life without WhatsApp. Impossible right? From the moment we wake up until we turn off the lights, it's our constant companion. WhatsApp helps us to stay connected with family, friends, colleagues or distant acquaintances and over time has become the primary mode of our daily conversations. But, seems like the Meta platform has now got some competition. Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has launched a new decentralised messaging app for iPhone users, which, unlike traditional apps, is designed for offline communication. One of the most unique features of Bitchat, a peer-to-peer messaging application, is that it can be used without cellular data or Wi-Fi. The only element you need to have on your phone is Bluetooth. Users are able to send messages directly between devices nearby through the medium. Bitchat follows a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networking system by creating a local web of connected devices. First, Bitchat recognises each other over Bluetooth. Unlike WhatsApp or Telegram, texts are not sent using external servers. A message sent through Bitchat splits into tiny chunks of data packets using LZ4, a lossless data compression algorithm, and broadcasts them over Bluetooth using BLE advertisements. If the recipient is nearby, within 30 metres, their phone picks up these chunks and reassembles them into the original message. However, when the receiver is out of range, the message 'hops" from the sender's phone to another before finally reaching its intended destination. The best part? Messages sent and received through Bitchat are end-to-end encrypted. Additionally, the texts exist only in device memory by default. Each message has a Time-To-Live (TTL) limit, which means it expires after some time, ensuring enhanced privacy. Take a look: Internet Reaction Social media users were quick to react to the post. 'This would be amazing for finding your friend at a massive music festival or anywhere where a huge number of people puts a strain on the cell towers, virtually making them useless," noted one person. 'I built 'Sitchat' too. Here, no phone is required. Just 2 people sitting side by side and chatting," read a playful remark. 'Why does it sound similar to Pied Piper from Silicon Valley?" wondered an individual, hinting at Steve Jobs, who was commonly referred to by the name thanks to his visionary leadership in the world of tech. 'Game is gonna change again," commented another user. The post has so far received over 9 million views. What are your thoughts on Bitchat? About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at bring you stories on what's creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey's Bluetooth messaging app now available on App Store
Jack Dorsey , co-founder and former CEO of Twitter (now X), has officially launched his highly anticipated Bluetooth-based messaging application, BitChat. The WhatsApp rival is now available on Apple App Store for download. Designed for offline communication, Bitchat uses Bluetooth mesh networks to let users chat with others nearby—no cellular or Wi-Fi connection required. Dorsey reportedly coded the app's foundation over a weekend in early July. The app features a minimalist interface with no login system; users simply open the app, set a display name, and begin messaging anyone within Bluetooth range—typically up to 100 meters. How Bitchat works Bitchat facilitates encrypted communication between nearby devices. As users move, their phones automatically form local Bluetooth clusters, passing messages from one device to another. This allows messages to reach peers beyond standard Bluetooth range, without Wi-Fi or cellular service. 'Bridge' devices play a role by connecting overlapping clusters, extending the mesh network across greater distances. Messages are stored only on individual devices, disappear by default and never touch any centralised infrastructure. The app's launch builds upon Dorsey's previous support for decentralised platforms like Damus and Bluesky. Similar to the Bluetooth-based apps used during Hong Kong's 2019 protests, Bitchat is engineered to remain functional even when internet access is blocked, as per CNBC. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Bitchat also supports optional group chats, or "rooms," which can be named with hashtags and secured with passwords, the report added. It includes a "store and forward" feature, ensuring messages are delivered to users who are temporarily offline. The report further noted that a future update is expected to add Wi-Fi Direct to further increase speed and range, pushing Dorsey's vision for off-grid, user-owned communication even further. Unlike mainstream messaging platforms such as Meta's WhatsApp and Messenger, which rely on personal data, Bitchat operates entirely peer-to-peer, with no accounts, no personal identifiers, and no data collection. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Mint
13 hours ago
- Mint
Jack Dorsey's offline messaging app Bitchat now available on App Store: More details inside
Bitchat, Jack Dorsey's new project, is now officially live for Apple users. It is available on the App Store and brings a refreshing change to messaging apps. You do not need mobile data, a Wi-Fi connection, or even a registered account to use it. The app runs on a Bluetooth-based mesh network system. If your phone has Bluetooth on, it will automatically connect with others running Bitchat nearby. As people move, their phones relay messages across short distances. So, even without direct contact, your message may still reach its destination. Bitchat does not ask for your name, email, or number. You open it and start chatting. All messages are encrypted, stored locally, and deleted after a short period. There are no backups or cloud storage involved. Your data stays on your device and nowhere else. This makes the app suitable for temporary or emergency communication, such as during power cuts, natural disasters, or public events. There is no tracking, and nobody can access your messages once they vanish. Dorsey developed this app as part of a new open-source group. It supports a wide range of Apple devices, from iPhone to Vision Pro. The interface is clean and simple. It is ideal for people who value privacy and want a tool that does not depend on big tech servers. However, a disclaimer is included. The team behind Bitchat warns users that the app has not been tested by external security professionals. Until such a review is done, the app should not be used for confidential or sensitive messaging. Still, the idea behind Bitchat is promising. As more users explore ways to stay off the grid, apps that offer freedom from logins and network dependency could become more popular. With its App Store launch, Bitchat gives everyone a chance to try this new way of connecting.
TechCrunch
14 hours ago
- TechCrunch
Jack Dorsey's Bluetooth messaging app Bitchat now on App Store
Bitchat, a messaging app created by Twitter and Block founder Jack Dorsey, is available to download from the iOS App Store. Dorsey says he coded the basis of the app over the course of a weekend in early July. Bitchat operates through Bluetooth mesh networks, which means that users can send messages to others within the range of Bluetooth connectivity — usually around 100 meters — without cell reception or a Wi-Fi connection. The app's UX is very minimal. There is no log-in system, and you're immediately brought to an instant messaging box, where you can see what nearby users are saying (if anyone is actually around you and using the app) and set your display name, which can be changed at any time. While Bitchat is sparking interest due to Dorsey's reputation, the concept of Bluetooth-powered messaging apps is not new. These apps are also popular in settings like large music festivals, where cell service may be limited, or in the aftermath of natural disasters, where cell service and Wi-Fi availability may be impacted. The Bluetooth messaging app Bridgefy was notably used during pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, since its ability to function without the internet made it harder for authorities to detect. Dorsey advertised Bitchat as a secure, private messaging platform when it went live for beta use earlier this month. But security researcher Alex Radocea pointed out in a blog post that it's easy to impersonate other people within Bitchat, calling into question how secure the 'vibe-coded' app really is. 'In cryptography, details matter,' Radocea wrote. 'A protocol that has the right vibes can have fundamental substance flaws that compromise everything it claims to protect.' Dorsey later admitted that the software had not been subject to an external security review and thus may contain vulnerabilities. Bitchat's concerns around impersonation also extend to the app itself. As of now, the app can be downloaded for iOS via the App Store, or it can be loaded onto an Android device by downloading the app from GitHub. However, the Google Play store hosts multiple apps that appear to be pretending to be Dorsey's app, which have garnered thousands of downloads. Dorsey has not directly addressed the fake Bitchat apps on the Google Play store, but he did repost another user's X post that said that Bitchat is not yet on Google Play, and to 'beware of fakes.'
Engadget
a day ago
- Engadget
Jack Dorsey's Bluetooth messaging app is now on the App Store
Earlier this month, Block CEO and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey unveiled a peer-to-peer, Bluetooth-based messaging app he put together. Now, anyone with a compatible iPhone, Mac or iPad (or even Apple Vision Pro) can try Bitchat as it's available on the App Store . Dorsey created Bitchat under the auspices of "and Other Stuff," an open-source development collective he has backed financially . Per the free app's description, it allows users to chat with others who are physically close to them without needing to have their email address or phone number, which could make Bitchat handy for in-person events. Messages are private and encrypted, while the Panic Mode function allows you to delete all your Bitchat data with a triple tap. Dorsey said he built Bitchat as an experiment in "Bluetooth mesh networks, relays and store and forward models, message encryption models and a few other things." The app doesn't need internet access to function, making it a useful option in situations in which authorities block mobile data and Wi-Fi connectivity. Other apps that offer Bluetooth mesh messaging first started appearing over a decade ago . To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. bitchat? now on the App Store:
