All-in-One Chat App 'Beeper' Brings iMessage to Android and Windows Using Workaround

[MacRumors]

New universal chat app "Beeper" combines 15 different chat platforms into a single inbox and offers iMessage on Android and Windows (via The Verge).

The app comes from a team including former Pebble CEO Eric Migicovsky, and enables users to integrate a range of messaging services, including WhatsApp, SMS, Signal, Telegram, Slack, Twitter, Skype, Hangouts, Discord, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger, into a single, searchable inbox. Most striking is support for Apple's iMessage, as it is only officially available on Apple devices.

The app is "using some trickery" to achieve this, with the website's FAQ revealing that an always-online Mac running the Beeper app is needed to use as a bridge. Alternately, Beeper will ship a "Jailbroken iPhone with the Beeper app installed which bridges to iMessage" to users unable to use a Mac.

The app is built on the open-source Matrix messaging protocol. While the clear short-term objective is to make it easier to chat across different services, Migicovsky has discussed the prospect of all users gradually transitioning to the open-source Matrix itself to chat, rather than simply using it as a bridge between services.

Beeper will cost $10 per month for its hosted option, and is set to be available on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. Prospective users can request an early invitation to join the app on the Beeper website.

Article Link: All-in-One Chat App 'Beeper' Brings iMessage to Android and Windows Using Workaround

 

[jgbr]

Countdown until Apple sues them for this....

 

[4jasontv]

This will last. /s

 

[sniffies]

"Comes from a former [insert company name here] CEO"

Right, must be trustworthy.

 

[b13o0r12e3]

if you know, you know

 

[djcerla]

"an always-online Mac running the Beeper app is needed to use as a bridge. Alternately, Beeper will ship a "Jailbroken iPhone with the Beeper app installed which bridges to iMessage" to users unable to use a Mac."

Indeed, an elegant workaround.

/s

 

[rictus007]

Pebble CEO? At least their watches were kind of good..... for 2012 standards

 

[VermontsFinest]

This is the clunkiest solution I've ever heard of

 

[MacRS4]

This work around has been about for a while. AirMessage for example https://airmessage.org/

Works well enough tbh if you have a Mac that's always on - one of my Mini units is on/awake 24x7 so I have it running on there.

 

[Apple_Robert]

This is one of the times I look forward to Apple lowering the boom on Beeper.

 

[motm95]

I wonder if it will support iMessage features like typing indicators, effects, replies, likes etc.

 

[ersan191]

I've been doing this on Windows with a jailbroken iPad on iOS 9 and a very old app called Remote Messages - development has long since ceased. I would love a more modern take with active development.

There's also something called Dell Mobile Connect that works pretty well over Bluetooth, most people aren't aware of it.

 

[Websnapx2]

I wonder if it will support iMessage features like typing indicators, effects, replies, likes etc.

I doubt it will get the chance.

 

[aesc80]

And all for $10 a month? Sounds awesome to that one guy who has an Android and hates Apple, but all of their friends are on iPhone and is deeply paranoid about what he’s missing out on.

 

[Cleartz]

Have at it, Apple

 

[stephen1108]

I’ve always felt Apple should try to integrate a unified inbox type experience similar to what my old BlackBerry had, but that’s essentially what Notification Center could be with some tweaking.

 

[aesc80]

if you know, you know

Those were the days! When you had to be on every service (AIM, YM, hell ICQ) ...

 

[Shadab121]

Looks amazing though... all in one app... like a bb hub. Hope they have an option to add emails too...

 

[Spock]

Pebble CEO? At least their watches were kind of good..... for 2012 standards

I loved my Pebble watch! Even after I switched to the Apple Watch I was mad when FitBit bought them and shut them down.

 

[itsmeaustend]

This is one of the times I look forward to Apple lowering the boom on Beeper.

Yes because stifling innovation is a good thing.

 

[itsmeaustend]

I doubt it will get the chance.

This isn’t going anywhere.

 

[Scottsoapbox]

How much does this app cost if they will throw in a jailbroken iPhone to make it work?!?

 

[mdridwan47]

Honest question. Why doesn't MacRumors fix this?

 

[MaxBurn]

In before this gets killed off...

 

[charlesdayton]

All of your iMessages are belong to us