[jahsome]

I'll ask more directly: What's the use case and/or value proposition for the average person?

I've heard about it a few times over the last 24 hours, and I'm relatively off social media, so that to me indicates a considerable buzz. But the only thing that gets headlines is "Jack did a thing!" And the readme is primarily jargon.

I can't speak for GP, but it's not clear to me _why_ it's a Really Big Deal.

[bravoetch]

For the average person, probably not much use. But we're in an interesting time where laptops and phones are ubiquitous and all of them have bluetooth. It being open source, and already ported to Android, is a bit special too. Seems like a coinflip whether it catches on, and if people start using it for concerts, festivals, group camps or whatever, then in a disaster it will already be there for people.

[jahsome]

I feel like it probably has particilar applications, especially if seamlessly integrated, but I also can't but help feeling like there's a certain level of "protocol fatigue" for non-tech folks.

In my experience a lot of people dont really understand the distinction between WiFi and Cellular for example. Or maybe more relevant, SMS vs MMS vs RCS.

That's not to say it can't or won't work, but rather the tech is interesting but I imagine a lot of potential friction for early adopters, which seems (to my limited understanding) self defeating as it only works if there's a critical mass of users.

[theultdev]

Bluetooth mesh chats were quite popular and effective during the Hong Kong protests.

Aside from protests, I'd also say they could be useful during festivals and other events where mobile networks can get quite congested.

Eventually fragments of groups will pass within range, forwarding messages to the rest, useful for coordinating rendezvous.

If built into an app for the event, it would be even more effective.

[jahsome]

Thanks, that's helpful context!

[theultdev]

A side note, airtags + iphones are effectively the largest bluetooth mesh network in the world, and they are quite useful even though only coordinates are sent.

[jahsome]

Do you mean useful in general or useful in this specific application?

If the goal is transmitting a message how do coordinates from a "read-only" device facilitate a p2p transfer?

[theultdev]

I meant useful in general. It's slightly off topic, but I think many people overlook the fact they are just a bluetooth mesh network as well.

Imagine one just as large as the airtag + iphone ecosystem but with messaging capabilities!

Would be cool to see one built into android + iphones but that will never happen. But a 3rd party could get so popular that it achieves somewhat close to that.

I'd imagine remote villages and towns could all install this and communicate with each community member very effectively.

[jahsome]

Ah! I see the connection of your points. Thanks so much for your thoughtful responses.

[baobun]

> What's the use case and/or value proposition for the average person?

Weird take. If it doesn't make sense to you, maybe it's just not for you (yet). That's not an indictment of either you, the project, or other people being excited about it. Not everything has to be targeting the lowest common denominator on launch.

Who even is "The Average Person"?

[jahsome]

How is trying to better understand what I'm missing a "weird take"?

Edit: feel free to answer if you're so inclined, but after seeing your edits, I have no desire to engage with you further; You win!