***TECHNOLOGY AROUND ME*** An Intro to the upcoming blog, by Sohail Zaman Lets learn about an app which allows group messages to be sent between phones, without the need for an internet connection, in an effort to circumnavigate government restrictions. WHICH APP does this? About 40,000 users downloaded Firechat last week, compared with 6,600 over the previous few months. The internet has been blocked in some Iraqi provinces, as authorities seek to prevent militants from communicating. Access to social media sites has also been restricted. The Firechat app allows users to take part in group chats with between 2 and 10,000 people, without the need for an internet connection. The software is available for both Android and iOS devices, and has a range of roughly 70m (230ft). However, if enough people use the app, messages can travel over far greater distances, hopping between intermediary devices in a chain-like effect. The app was heavily used in Taiwan earlier this year, when protesting students intent on occupying the parliament were faced with the threat of internet restrictions and limited cell coverage. WHAT NETWORK DOES IT USE, YOU ASKED? Using a technology known as mesh networking, messages can be sent to people within the immediate vicinity, as long as they too have the app installed. However, discussions are not private, and can be seen by anyone in the area. A mesh network allows a single connection to the net to be shared between multiple devices, many of which can be removed without the network failing. The devices can still chat to each other even if the net connection is severed. . . . Keep yourself informed. Thanks!
Posted on: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 12:46:33 +0000