Instant messaging apps are two a penny (or cent), but there are few that offer really innovative features for users. FireChat aims to change that. Sure, it may offer what you expect - text messages - but it’s how it delivers the service that matters. Specifically, it’s the ability to chat “off the grid”. In FireChat’s world, you no longer need an internet connection for instant messaging friends, family or the odd stranger that takes your fancy. All you need is a few people in the vicinity who are using the app, and you can connect to them over peer to peer wifi and bluetooth. It uses technology known as wireless mesh networking, which in theory could allow users to send messages to other FireChatters who are out of internet range. It all sounds a bit too good to be true, and at the moment, it sort of is. Messages can be sent to nearby users in the iOS app over a short range - about 30 feet - but there are plans to expand it in the future to allow users to ping messages across larger distances. The one big flaw in this messenger app, however, is that although there are versions for iOS and Android, for various reasons neither app will talk to the other. Still, it’s an exciting development.