I only use it because there’s no way I could convince my friends and family to move to anything else.
There’s no point in switching to another app if I then literally couldn’t communicate with the people I need to through it.
I’ve been using Beeper a month or two. They had a long waiting list, and initially it was subscription only, but they are working on smashing through the waiting list and have changed to a freemium model where you get it for free and (eventually) they will have extra features for subscribers.
Basically, it’s one chat app that connects to lots of different chat services.
If you’re technical, the app is a fork of Element, and the service uses matrix bridges to connect to different chat services, but it’s all presented in a (somewhat) polished way. The wait list is because they are still struggling with scaling and quirks but if you’re on Lemmy you’re probably already well familiar with putting up with this.
It covers heaps of chat networks. Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Signal, Telegram, and more. It also will let you SMS (unlike Signal 😬).
You can also connect to Matrix rooms but you don’t seem to be able to connect to an existing Matrix account (it uses a Beeper matrix account to connect).
It doesn’t do video/audio calls so they recommend you leave the original app installed and disable message notifications (but leave on call notifications) if you use this.
app is closed source :/
Looks cool though
Yep. But if you’re keen on this stuff, you can self host matrix and the bridges and do it yourself. Their bridges are open source, just not their apps whose features are their business model.
I remember I used to have Pidgin, but facebook closed the messenger API (I think, this was a while ago) How does this work?
I’m afraid I don’t know the details 🙁
For pidgin I think you can host your own xmpp server?
I think the core issue is that I don’t have enough social clout to get people to change messaging platforms.
Yeah, exactly. This is why Facebook exists.
We could solve this problem if we think about it in the right way.
A modern-day Trillian.
That’s interesting!
I’m just not sure the “security” of WhatsApp is preserved in that case but it’s certainly better than not being able to talk to certain people at all.
Also I think these kind of meta chat apps have been tried before and it usually doesn’t end very well so I’m not sure I would be super optimistic.
Any of the chat provider can break their link to beeper and since they probably don’t really care about it it shouldn’t very reliable.
But a cool find nonetheless!
Nice. Looking into this one. Although in reality I use about 95% whatsapp just because everyone else does. Wish we could all just switch to Signal or even Telegram but nah… Whatsapp is so engrained everywhere that it is not going to go away anytime soon.
Well, that’s super neat and very useful for my circumstances. I’m moving outside of the US soon to a place where WhatsApp is dominant, but I still want to use SMS/MMS with family and friends in the US since I doubt they’ll make the switch. I’ve been using WhatsApp for about a year now while coordinating stuff for my soon-to-be home and I’ve come to the conclusion that WhatsApp is complete garbage.
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Signal kinda put themselves out of the messaging app battle when they dropped SMS support
I totally get why they did it, but I think a lot of people stopped using it for this reason, unfortunately
I don’t really want to start a debate on the Signal SMS dropout but …
They could have put a big red warning and a disclaimer you have to read once for the unsecured SMS. It would have been fine.
Yes, you would have to maintain that but I think it would definitely have been worth it considering how much reach they lost dropping this feature.
I stopped using Signal when they did, and that’s one less tech user advertising their secure app.
It’s a shame because I think this will slowly kill the project.
I tend to agree
I don’t think anyone uses or cares about SMS where I live
Lucky you. SMS is still the primary way people message each other where I live.
That’s rough. I guess at least it’s universal
I don’t mind it so much. At least it’s not Facebook Messenger or Whatsapp. I’d rather die than put those on my phone.
Facebook Messenger is dogshit but WhatsApp works well imo. More features than sms or even rcs. Dogshit privacy though, even if security might be good.
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Yeah, I guess I’m not sure about the actual statistics. I do know it was the point when I realized I wouldn’t personally use Signal because everyone I know uses SMS, SMS federates with email, and if I tried switching to a non-SMS app, I’d be screaming into a void.
The only other message apps people around here use are Snapchat, FB Messenger, and WhatsApp, and I’d rather cut people off than use any of those.
same here. Heck, even Nextcloud Talk is more sophisticated than frickin’ WhatsApp these days…
Same but replace WhatsApp with messenger and iMessage.
I literally installed Telegram/Signal on my families devices, synced their contacts with the app, and said “if you want timely responses, message me here”
Interesting I’ll look into it thanks
Wait until you hear how many people use facebook messenger.
Signal is the best.
The thing it’s missing the most is better multi device support and an updated desktop client.
For me, I think Matrix is more complete (specially since it backs-up your chats and media encrypted). The only thing it’s lacking (at least Element specific) is encrypted chat search support on mobile.
What matrix is missing is anyone that I know. Ultimately that is way more important than features in a messaging client.
In my personal experience, everyone who has an account with Signal also has with Matrix. The main issue for me is who has an account at all.
I’ve used signal for ages but didn’t know what Matrix was until Lemmy tbh
In turn you can bet that who has one on Matrix will have one on Session, SimpleX and at least other 10 apps you’ve never heard about
It has bridges for most messaging services so you could use a matrix frontend for most of your messaging needs without having people on matrix so long as the server admin has set up those extensions
Signal client looks optimized on MacOS and Linux i don’t use Windows so not sure what’s going on there
+1 for linux cluent, absolutely no complaints
I register my Signal on off-shore phone number and i use it over MullvadVPN with multi-hop so i think is pretty private this way
I use it on windows. The client is totally fine for the most part.
Though for some reason it regularly screws up the device-connection, forcing me to reconnect the device, loosing access to every old message. Seems to be a rare bug though, as my family also uses the windows client and theirs never has this problem (out of 8 device 1 has this problem)
I use it for linux. Recently there was a bug where if you had a chat opened, it would pin one core to 100% usage. It also lacks feature parity with the mobile client (ex: gif search and send).
Well Signal Desktop client and Server is running on Java 🥲🥲🥲
There’s no way that we can have a mainstream alternative to imessage if we keep declaring a new app or protocol the new best one every two years.
iMessage can’t be “the mainstream” app by locking out most of the world tho. Plus it is definitely the ugliest thing Apple has ever made in its lifetime that I know of.
All Google needs to do is make a public RCS API. Then we will have all the important features iMessage has on Android via regular texting. I have no fucking clue why they are making RCS exclusive to their messaging app.
Hopefully the new MLS for app interoperability will ease the adoption of any newer app
I think have settled into what they know.
I think that iMessage is only prevelant in North America. Here in Europe (Portugal, at least), everyone uses Whatsapp.
Yeah, it sucks that if I were using Signal only on my phone and eventually decide to start using it on desktop, it doesn’t sync any conversation history, resulting in the desktop client showing nothing from before you set it up. It should have older devices send history to new ones. If you’re permanently switching devices, are you losing that history for good?
Nope, you can backup the chats and import them when installing Signal on the new device
Hadn’t thought of that!
SimpleX or Matrix are way better
Session is good too but is only used by IT people… Signal is used by lawyers and many more
SimpleX >>>> Matrix
I don’t think it’s really a chat app. Isn’t it just a text replacement? Or does it just use that number as your ID to use it? I have it, but only ever used it with one guy.
It has lots of nice features over SMS: read/typing notifications, image/video support, proper groups, message expiration. I think that makes it a chat app
I have all those features with Google Messages (as long as I’m not talking to an iPhone user).
Signal’s UI has improved a lot though. Still I only know one person that uses it.
I was implying mms as well. Didn’t know about the other additions. I only knew one person with it, and we haven’t spoken in years.
Still waiting for the ability to log in one two phones, and ideally also uncompressed photo/file sending
But yea Signal is great
I wish people would stop using the Crowder meme template.
Eh, whatsapp isn’t ideal and its owner is one of the big devils of today, but it’s the only way to send and receive instant messages among billions of people. I despise it, but it’s the only way I can contact people. Needless to say, they don’t give a single flying fuck about privacy.
Whatsapp outages make people migrate to Telegram for 1-2 days at most, nobody ends up staying there. Signal? I’ve only ever met three other people in RL who have even heard of it, and I work in IT.
A more apt comparison would be to languages. Whatsapp is english: clunky, weird, full of nonsense, but it’s what “everyone talks”. Signal would probably be lojban or esperanto.
This is SMS in the US. No one uses WhatsApp, telegram or matrix. Every iphone user uses imessage and so we are stuck with SMS.
Aside from needing a phone, I really don’t see the issue with SMS. For sending quick messages to people directly, is there really a better tool? You (most likely) already have a phone plan, you already have a phone, and your phone is always on you. Everyone you’re trying to contact is in the same boat, even people who are technically illiterate. All phones with phone plans support SMS, unless there’s weird plans I don’t know about.
When it comes to more complex needs (group management, e2e encryption, etc) other services are better of course. I don’t use SMS to text my group of friends, it’s really not well suited for the job.
SMS does not have any encryption at all.
Of course it doesn’t, I even called that out :)
Aside from needing a phone
That is a huge one for me. Yes, I have a phone. But I spend most of my waking time in front of a desktop or laptop. With Whatsapp, Telegram or Signal I can read and write messages from the computer, copy/paste text to the documents I am writing, and send and download files. SMS are more limited.
I use SMS for work. It’s the one we all know what message we send through will present the same on the other side regardless of phone. A big downside is that it’s limited to the phone. Messenger and WhatsApp can be read on laptops.
SMS is hard to have on multiple devices and it is hell of a work to become SMS provider. Internet based messaging is better in a every single way.
Even the network range is now not an advantage, as 3G is shutting down in many regions.
I don’t disagree, but that wasn’t my point. Everyone has access to SMS messaging. Not everyone has an internet-based messaging app, and those who do are split among several different services.
As a Signal user and an Esperantist I agree. They both require a somewhat curious mind for you to bump into them in the first place. Unless you have that friend/relative who always recommends weird stuff for you (to ignore).
Yeah, but I disagree. Signal doesn’t require that by design, it’s just as easy to use as WhatsApp (unlike something like Matrix or Lemmy). It’s just as easy to switch and has a better privacy. And while I even don’t use it much, I actually know quite some people on it (majority of which is non-techy).
Most (non-techy) people haven’t heard from it and don’t bother searching for alternatives since WA is ubiquitous.
Why would it even be weird or anything? I only use Signal and its pretty much the same as whatsapp on the outside…just in blue. The only reason people dont use it is because “eVerYonE hAs WhAtsApP” and they dont bother. 20 useless crap apps but 2 messengers is too much
as another signal user and esperantist, i unfortunately agree as well. but it doesnt have to be like this
Signal was fantastic until they stupidly killed SMS integration.
I’m not sure I have all of them, but I regularly use (privately)
- encrypted email
- unencrypted email
- text
- Meta Facebook Messanger
- Meta Instagram messages
- Meta WhatsApp
- Signal
- Telegram
- Microsoft Teams (yes, even privately)
I’m tired boss.
Look into Beeper! It just got RCS support in its last update. Not sure if they plan on supporting Teams though.
If you’re tech savvy though, look into setting up your own Matrix server for a Teams bridge.
Beeper looks amazing but is waiting list only.
A very short one. It’s technically open to everyone now!
Well that’s great news! I joined the wait-list last week and got an email saying they’d get back to me when I could get access.
I have never used Whatsapp nor does anyone I know.
Murican, I suppose.
It’s mostly not used in the US afaik. I’ve seen it in a lot of places in Europe and the middle east
According to Statista, 41% of 'muricans use it, which is a rather low number. Meanwhile, Brazil is the whatsapp country, in terms of percentage. In total numbers, that’d be India, as it’s the most populous country in the world.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1311229/whatsapp-usage-messaging-app-users-by-country/
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SMS is IE, Whatsapp is Chrome, and Signal is Firefox. Use Signal/Firefox.
Fuck Steven Crowder and any meme based on his bullshit
Steven Crowder is a garbage human and doesn’t deserve a meme template
Wow… I didn’t know who the guy was.
From Wikipedia:
Early in his career, Crowder worked for Fox News and posted satirical videos on conservative media platforms. He then began hosting Louder with Crowder, a daily political podcast and YouTube channel with commentary and comedic content. It includes a recurring segment called “Change My Mind”, in which Crowder invites passers-by to converse. In December 2012, Crowder and members of Americans for Prosperity were involved in an altercation at a demonstration in Michigan concerning the state’s recently passed right-to-work law.[3]
Crowder’s YouTube channel has been demonetized twice, first in 2019 after repeated use of racist and homophobic slurs.[4][5][6][7] His channel was re-monetized after YouTube said Crowder addressed his behavior and content,[8] and it was demonetized again in March 2021, with uploads suspended for a week, after violating YouTube’s presidential election integrity policy against advancing false claims about the election’s integrity.[9] YouTube suspended the channel again for two weeks in October 2022 for violating its harassment, threats and cyberbullying policy.[10] The channel had 5.86 million subscribers as of May 2023.[11] Crowder moved his show to Rumble in March 2023.[12]
You’re absolutely right. He doesn’t deserve a meme template.
To be fair, Wikipedia doesn’t give him justice. He is far worse. Either he is an utter foul or he is a full blown Nazi. I am not saying “oh i disagree with him, so Nazi” I am saying “he supports white supremacists, ‘race realists’, ethno nationalists, by giving them a uncritical platform and by giving people a uncritical platform who give those people a uncritical platform”
If you want see how Steven Crowder does his politics and a good case towards why I think that way, https://youtu.be/cXZ6BZzQeCQ Steven Crowder wanted to know what a white supremacists is and claimed to feel like people are calling him one unfairly and a guy decided to walk everyone to the thought process of how and why people think what they think.
Chrome is the Internet Explorer of the browsers.
Nah definitely safari
Safari 110%
Right, WebKit is the alpha versión of Blink and KDEs KHTML the ancestor
Such a weird statement. webkit is and has been a fully released browser engine for decades, companies forked from it for licensing and profit, not because it wasnt ready or complete (at the time)
Same as any browser engine, there isn’t a new engine since 20 years. Apart of Gecko, Blink and WebKit there are nothing else, apart of some experimental ones, mostly discontinued. WebKit is a fork from KHTML (KDE) and Blink is an improved fork from WebKit.
Steven Crowder is the wife abuser of the meme world.
Look, I hate Facebook just as much as the next guy. But I live in The Netherlands and it’s the primary way I can contact literally everyone I know. So changing to another messaging app is hard here.
same in India , everyone uses whatsapp even for official communication
Same in Australia. I have Facebook disabled, but I’ve got messenger to keep in the loop
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Just removed whatsapp a few years ago. If people need you, they will install Telegram!
Then you find out nobody needs you and you get depressed.
Nah. SMS and iMessage are the IE of messaging. Unsafe and locked in.
signal and telegram are so much better, don’t know why we can’t get over that shit app
telegram is awesome but please don’t use it if you’re looking for total privacy, as (by default) chats are not e2e-encrypted (this is done to improve sync/seamless multi-device chat history).
also they introduced a discord nitro-like subscription like a year ago and started putting all new features behind it…wasn’t telegram the top privacy app after signal like? other than matrix but I don’t consider it
Tbh, Signal is really lacking features at this point. That’s making it incredibly hard to convince others on using it.
Signal’s desktop app is just horrible. Whatsapp doesn’t even have a proper one.
I’m curious what do you find horrible about it? I use it all the time and have zero issues with it.
Chat history is almost never properly transferred when you install it. It also randomly loses chat history for no reason.
Also the interface is nowhere as good as telegram.
I was unaware that it was supposed to transfer chat history. It’s never once done it for me. I assumed it was like other platforms I’ve used where it doesn’t sync your history unless you backup and restore.
Well you’re somewhat correct about Chat history, but just that just comes with better security measures… Otherwise the only thing I dislike, that you can’t drag and drop files onto the contact list on the left, but only to the selected chat.
What features?
Multiple Chats in one Group (“Communities”), Polls, Group Calls are the ones that come to mind now. I think I had more on my list… 🤔
I don’t know if I understand the first one. But, good point on the other ones. Group calls would be really nice…
In WhatsApp, you can create “Communities” these days. In a community you can create multiple Chats/Groups with their own topic. So when you have a big community and different topics to talk about, you can create a chat for each topic so that you don’t have one spammy chat. That way all chats belonging to that community also are visible to all people which are in at least one of the communities’ chats.
Seems a lot like a Discord Guild. Very nice concept!
Well, it’s basically multiple Chats in one Group, so yes, but without all the permission stuff and so on.
No Android Tablet version. On iOS you can use your iPad, but can’t use a tablet alongside your phone.
Huh, I haven’t tried that. I use Signal on an Android phone, ipad, Windows computer, and Linux computer. I just recently started using Beeper though. I like that it uses Matrix for its back end between other Beeper users. But, I can use it to talk to people on Signal, iMessage, SMS, etc.
Well, tbh, WhatsApp also hasn’t had a Tablet version for the longest time. They are just now getting started with an Android Companion version.
No, but I don’t use WhatsApp either. Telegram across multi devices works so well, I use that.
But that’s a mess in terms of security. I love the telegram client and features as well, but that’s a strike for me.
It’s also really buggy, and it’s got worse performance than even element. Like the calls don’t even make it through most of the time, and instead the other person just gets a missed call notification after you stop dialing them.
Collective Action Problem is not a joke jim, Billions of people suffer every year
Op thinks only the USA exists apparently
I’m from india
Yo from india too
Told
I stole this meme from a comment🫣
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In some countries like India, people just assume that everyone uses whatsapp. It’s gotten to the point where whatsapp has become the definition of messaging (for most people).
I don’t see how Whatsapp is outdated to the point where one would compare it to IE, but I’ll say whatsapp is more like Google Chrome than IE.
