Beeper Mini, the app bringing blue bubble iMessage texts to Android users, is back in operation
After a tumultuous weekend where Apple halted Beeper’s services, citing security concerns, the messaging app is back in action as of Monday. The startup remains tight-lipped about the details of its resurgence, emphasizing that Beeper Mini will be temporarily free due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Apple’s attempts to shut it down.
Background:
Founded by Eric Migicovsky, the former Pebble smartwatch founder, Beeper initially aimed to aggregate various chat apps into a unified interface. However, the discovery of technology enabling the reverse-engineering of the iMessage protocol led to the creation of Beeper Mini. Priced at $1.99 per month, this app focused solely on delivering iMessage functionality to Android users, boasting features like high-quality media support, tapback reactions, and more.
Despite rapid success, Apple took swift action to block Beeper Mini, claiming it posed security and privacy risks. Apple expressed doubt about Beeper’s end-to-end encryption claims, prompting the need to protect users by blocking the app’s access to iMessage.
Intervention and Criticism:
As the Beeper team worked to address the issue, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized Apple for hindering cross-platform communication. She argued that allowing Android users to chat with iPhone users should be both easy and secure.
Beeper’s Response:
On Monday, Beeper announced that it had resolved the messaging issues and updated Beeper Mini. The specifics of the fix remain undisclosed, but Beeper assures users that the security features, including local, end-to-end encryption, remain intact. However, phone number registration is not yet functional, requiring users to sign in with an Apple ID, a limitation the startup aims to address.
Beeper Mini is currently offered for free, acknowledging the recent chaos. The startup plans to reconsider subscriptions once the situation stabilizes. Despite not undergoing a pre-launch security review, Beeper challenges Apple to have its app audited by an independent third-party security firm.
Update and Features:
Users can access the updated version of Beeper Mini on beeper.com/update. The app now prompts users to sign in with their Apple ID, offering new features such as opening chats at the last unread message and an improved video player. However, users are advised to sideload the update due to pending Play Store submission.
Apple’s Response:
As of now, Apple has not directly contacted Beeper, only releasing a statement to the press. The fate of Beeper’s updated build, and whether Apple will take further action, remains uncertain.
Beeper Mini’s revival comes amid a challenging battle with Apple over its iMessage functionality on Android. The startup remains resilient, addressing issues promptly and offering transparency while navigating the complexities of cross-platform messaging.
