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Title: [2018-05-14] GoTenna Launches a Bitcoin Wallet That Works Without the Internet Post by: Lucius on May 15, 2018, 10:20:35 AM Since internet connections aren't always available, reliable or private, cryptocurrency users need alternative ways to connect to the network. So the New York-based startup goTenna, founded in 2012 by Brazilian siblings Daniela and Jorge Perdomo, is partnering with Samourai Wallet to launch an Android app this summer that allows users to send bitcoin payments without an internet connection.
https://www.coindesk.com/gotenna-bitcoin-wallet-mesh-network/ Very interesting idea which could actually work since this device will use unlicensed radio frequency to make connection between devices, only limitation is that devices need to be in range of max 1 mile (1.6 km) from each other. Title: Re: [2018-05-14] GoTenna Launches a Bitcoin Wallet That Works Without the Internet Post by: 1Referee on May 15, 2018, 10:50:40 AM It's an alternative in extreme situations, but I wonder what if somehow the signal gets intercepted and the data within it gets altered?
The whole point of GoTenna is that it works without internet, but in the end you still need it, which is somewhat contradicting, and when you are out of range, or all devices aren't online, then there is no such a thing as using Bitcoin 'without' internet at all. It's not that they offer anything ground breaking, but just smartly make use of available technologies. In order to actually transact offline, you will have to exchange private keys, but that's all based on trust. There are however various alternatives in physical form functioning as 'temper proof' offline means of exchange. I would rather use that in extreme situations. Title: Re: [2018-05-14] GoTenna Launches a Bitcoin Wallet That Works Without the Internet Post by: Lucius on May 16, 2018, 09:24:48 AM It's an alternative in extreme situations, but I wonder what if somehow the signal gets intercepted and the data within it gets altered? The whole point of GoTenna is that it works without internet, but in the end you still need it, which is somewhat contradicting, and when you are out of range, or all devices aren't online, then there is no such a thing as using Bitcoin 'without' internet at all. It's not that they offer anything ground breaking, but just smartly make use of available technologies. In order to actually transact offline, you will have to exchange private keys, but that's all based on trust. There are however various alternatives in physical form functioning as 'temper proof' offline means of exchange. I would rather use that in extreme situations. I am not sure how good is security of their devices but based on what they say in their FAQ it should be very good : Quote Private 1-to-1 and group messages sent over goTenna Mesh are end-to-end encrypted with 384-bit elliptic curve public-private key ciphering. The only exceptions are messages sent using the “shout” and “emergency” features which are by definition public conversations with others within range of you. I just check their site and see they have few products to offer, and also by the map of devices around the world this products are very popular in North America, but also in Europe. I agree that this can only work if there is users who use such devices, but I have some feeling that this could become very popular in future. https://gotenna.com/ |