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You will have experienced this yourself: you're at a football match and you need to find a friend. But the crowd means that the network is overloaded, and you can't get a signal on your phone!
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Mobile webstores are filled and stuffed up with messaging apps from WhatsApp to LINE and their many imitators. But none of those innovations was much use without a connection, except for one…
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Introducing FireChat.
Released early last year, it is an instant messaging app for Android and iOS that doesn't rely on cell phone reception to work.
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But HOW?!
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Well, instead of global positioning and cell phone triangulation, FireChat relies on Bluetooth to send text and share images
The app was started by Micha Benoliel, a French entrepreneur
The app had a relatively slow start in the market, but all that changed during the protest movement 'Occupy Central' which took place in Hong Kong last year
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Unlike mobile networks which come under strain and break down when too many users tax the system, FireChat triumphs especially in overcrowded engagements like mass protests and concerts
But does FireChat live up to its hype? We downloaded the iOS app and played around with it. Here's what we thought:
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Like any other messaging app, you'll be asked to sign up for an account, it's pretty straightforward
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Once you're in, FireChat greets you with a clean and lightweight user interface where you can instantly chat with
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The Everyone mode is essentially like a large group chat, you're basically talking to every FireChat user in Malaysia.
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Follow prominent figures like Marina Mahathir or your friends with the discover mode.
To make things interesting, you could customise your profile by uploading a profile photo and putting in your bio. Tell the world about yourself!
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In the past, users were not able to send private messages using FireChat, but a recent update has made it possible!
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Private messages are encrypted too, so you won't have to worry about people peeping into your chatrooms or the government spying on you
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FireChat is made up of different chatrooms. Create your own chatroom if you decide to start a new topic of discussion.
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Do note that every FireChat conversation is public, so there's no locking the door on your self-created chat room, even if it's designed just for your roommates.
In nearby mode, the app uses Bluetooth and WiFi to connect to nearby phones that also have the app installed.
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