Show HN: Sidestream – an AI chat app with a side of insight (github.com)

Sidestream has launched an innovative, free, open-source AI chat application that enhances user interactions by integrating useful, surprising, and diverse information into conversations. Unlike traditional AI chatbots that provide straightforward answers, Sidestream mimics human-like dialogue by introducing lesser-known insights and alternative perspectives, ensuring more engaging and informative interactions. This is facilitated through its six unique Discovery Modes, designed to present users with content they might not know to ask for, from obscure facts to critical viewpoints. For the AI/ML community, Sidestream's significance lies in its cross-platform compatibility and flexibility with multiple AI models, allowing users to bring their own API keys from providers like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google Gemini. This pay-as-you-go model eliminates subscription barriers, making advanced AI capabilities accessible to a broader audience. Features such as the ability to switch models mid-chat, voice input, and a searchable chat history further enhance the user experience. As a non-commercial project with a focus on maximizing the value of AI conversations, Sidestream represents a significant step towards enriching human-AI interaction while supporting a collaborative development ethos within the tech community.