Unexplored iOS 7 Features Used By FireChat Allows Instant Messaging Without Internet Connectivity

A new iOS 7 app, FireChat is being eagerly downloaded from Apple’s App Store as it allows instant messaging between phones without the need of a Data Pack or raking-up SMS charges too.

The FireChat app has already become very popular, but its backend framework wasn’t possible until the latest iOS Operating System, iOS 7 was released. FireChat makes use of the Multipeer Connectivity Framework and is developed by the crowd-sourced connectivity provider OpenGarden.

How does FireChat work? FireChat uses only the mobile number, just like WhatsApp and a few others to register the user. Once registered, the user is dropped into a fast-moving chat-room of “Everyone” using it in the user’s country. Moreover, there is an interesting “Nearby” option, using which, the app lets the user share messages (and soon photos) with other app users nearby, regardless of whether the user has an actual Wi-Fi or cellular connection.

The Multipeer Connectivity Framework enables users to flexibly use WiFi and Bluetooth Peer-To-Peer (P2P) connections to chat and share photos even without an Internet connection. It’s also referred as wireless mesh networking.

This is certainly revolutionary since it can enable two users to chat not only without an Internet connection, but also when they are far beyond WiFi and Bluetooth range from each other. The magic happens via multiple connected with a chain of P2P users between one user and a far-away Internet connection.

Companies like Facebook and Google might be working to enhance internet connectivity, but Apple has quietly released a feature that could easily bring connectivity to remote or inaccessible regions so long as there are a few users of FireChat connected with a Multipeer network.

Source | zeenews

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