Latest news with #JackDorsey
Time of India
8 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
9 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
10 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.'
Bloomberg
12 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Jack Dorsey's Block Aims to Draw Cash App Users With Group Payments Tool
Jack Dorsey's Block Inc. is adding a group payments feature to its Cash App as it aims to attract out of network users to its peer-to-peer money transfer and banking app. The new so-called Pools feature will allow Cash App users to invite Apple Pay and Google Pay users to contribute funding toward group transactions like a vacation rental or large gift, according to a press release. The organizer can text a link to request a contribution from people outside the ecosystem, it said.
Fashion Network
12 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Viral brand Quince raises $200 million, hits $4.5 billion valuation
Quince, the California-based brand gaining global buzz for its affordable luxury wardrobe essentials, has raised about $200 million in a new funding round, valuing the company at more than $4.5 billion. The label, which gained prominence on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, offers direct-to-consumer clothing and home goods at remarkably low prices, earning it a reputation as a disruptor in the accessible luxury space. Iconiq Capital, the investment firm managing wealth for Silicon Valley elites including Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey, is reportedly leading the round, according to people familiar with the matter. The new valuation more than doubles Quince's previous worth—indicating strong investor confidence in the brand's business model and growth trajectory. Representatives for both Quince and Iconiq declined to comment. Launched in 2018, Quince has grown rapidly by offering products such as $50 cashmere sweaters, silk dresses, bedding, and even discounted caviar—delivered straight from factories. By cutting out traditional intermediaries and shipping directly to consumers, the brand keeps costs low while maintaining quality. The model is comparable to those used by Chinese e-commerce giants such as Temu and Shein, though Quince is positioned as more sustainable and quality-focused. Its direct-to-consumer, factory-to-door approach has earned it a dedicated fan base in the U.S. and beyond, particularly among millennial and Gen Z shoppers seeking both value and style. The fundraising comes at a time when many direct-to-consumer brands are struggling to secure capital. Increased social media advertising costs and sluggish consumer spending have deterred private investment in the sector. However, sources say Quince's consistently strong revenue growth set it apart from competitors and attracted backers in a challenging market. Earlier this year, Quince raised $120 million in a Series C round led by Notable Capital and Wellington Management. Iconiq, founded in 2011, has grown into one of the most prominent venture investors in Silicon Valley. In 2023, it raised $5.75 billion for its latest venture capital fund. Its involvement with Quince could further boost the brand's global profile as it scales operations and expands its product offering.
