Product Information
What is Sideband?
Sideband is an extensible LXMF messaging client, situational awareness tracker, and remote control and monitoring system for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. It enables you to communicate with others or LXMF-compatible systems over the Reticulum network using LoRa, packet radio, WiFi, I2P, encrypted QR paper messages, or any other medium supported by Reticulum. Sideband is entirely free, end-to-end encrypted, permissionless, anonymous, and infrastructure-free. It operates on the peer-to-peer distributed messaging system LXMF. There's no registration, no service provider, no "End User License Agreement," no data theft, and no surveillance. You own the system.
This also means Sideband functions differently from what you might be accustomed to. It doesn’t require a connection to an internet server to operate, and you don’t have an account anywhere. Please read the guide included in the program to understand how Sideband differs from other messaging systems.
**Features & Capabilities**
Sideband offers many useful and interesting features. It is fully compatible with other LXMF clients, such as MeshChat and Nomad Network. The Nomad Network client also allows you to easily host propagation nodes for the LXMF network, among other things.
**Installation**
Sideband can run on most computing devices, but installation methods vary depending on the device type and operating system. For installation instructions, refer to the relevant sections below.
- **Android**
- **Linux**
- **Raspberry Pi**
- **macOS**
- **Windows**
**Planned Features**
How to use Sideband?
Sideband is a scalable LXMF messaging client, situational awareness tracker, and remote control and monitoring system. It supports multiple communication methods via the Reticulum network, offering free, end-to-end encrypted, permissionless, anonymous, and infrastructure-less decentralized communication.
Core Functions of Sideband
Privacy-Focused, Decentralized, End-to-End Encrypted, Ad-Free, Encrypted Chat
Usage Scenarios of Sideband
- Communicate securely with others or LXMF-compatible systems via the Reticulum network.
- Transmit images, files, and audio messages over low-bandwidth networks like LoRa or radio.
- Conduct peer-to-peer telemetry, location sharing, and situational awareness, displayed on a map.
- Exchange messages via encrypted QR codes or lxm:// links.
- Use Android devices as Reticulum routers to set up or extend networks.
- Execute commands remotely and query telemetry data.
Common Questions about Sideband
What does Sideband do?
How do I use Sideband?
What are the core features of Sideband?
What are the use cases for Sideband?
