WhatsApp releases new macOS native app with group calling and more
WhatsApp has launched a redesigned and improved experience for Mac users. The new native app adds video group calling with up to 8 people and up to 32 people on audio calls.
Slack pressured to prioritize privacy amid end-to-end encryption protests
Without E2EE, Slack is putting people's lives at risk
New Microsoft Teams promises twice the speed
Microsoft released today the public preview of an all-new version of Teams promising big performance and UI improvements, while using up to 50% less memory. To try it, turn on the "Try the new Teams" toggle at the top left corner of the Teams app.
The Matrix protocol is trying to break down the walls between messaging apps
Non-profit foundation promotes interoperable message clients
When was the first SMS text message sent?
Software architect used a computer to text "Merry Christmas"
Viber is a secure messaging alternative to WhatsApp
Viber uses end-to-end encryption on all 1-to-1 and group messages. It also features disappearing messages and the ability to password-protect your chats. Viber is available for all major desktop and mobile OS.
Telegram now lets you sign-up with anonymous phone numbers
Telegram is adding a new privacy layer, letting you sign-up without your real phone number and use instead anonymous numbers from the Fragment blockchain platform. Also new, set a global auto-delete timer to remove messages in all new chats without leaving a trace.
WhatsApp now allows you to message yourself
We've all done it. Save notes, locations, and other stuff by messaging yourself in WhatsApp. Press the message button and you will now see your name as the first contact on your list. This also works for messaging yourself between devices.
Signal rolls out Snapchat-like "Stories" to Android and iPhone users
Signal, the privacy-focused messaging platform, has introduced "Stories", allowing you to share pictures and videos that will disappear after 24 hours.
WhatsApp update allows you to organize groups under "Communities"
WhatsApp has rolled out a major update that introduces Communities, which lets you to band groups together. Create in-chat polls, up to 32 person video calling, and groups with up to 1,024 users.
Telegram is a feature-rich messaging alternative to WhatsApp
Telegram lets you create group chats with up to 200k members, share media files up to 2GB each, and all your messages are stored in the cloud, so you can easily access them from anywhere.
WhatsApp beta improves reactions, increases group call participants
Meta has released a new WhatsApp beta with updates to message reactions, an increase to group participants up to 512, and max file size limit to 2GB.
iOS 16 will allow you to unsend and edit sent messages with some limitations
Unsurprisingly, the feature will not work cross-platform
What Ever Happened to Yahoo! Messenger?
Yahoo! Messenger was never the most popular, but for many years it was close enough to keep trying, introducing many messaging features years before they became the norm.
Telegram launches premium tier as platform touches 700 million users
Faster downloads, larger uploads, exclusive stickers and more for a monthly fee
WhatsApp adds the ability to mute others on group calls, join calls in progress
The new features are designed to enhance overall call quality and flexibility
WhatsApp tests feature that hides your "Last Seen" status
The new setting is being rolled out to beta testers
Planned Amazon internal chat app reportedly banned words such as "restrooms," "vaccine," and "slave labor"
Union-related terms were also on the blacklist
Franz lets you combine messaging services and multiple accounts into a single app
Franz integrates multiple messaging services (and different accounts) for WhatsApp, Slack, Discord, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger into one app. The free version allows up to 3 services.
What Ever Happened to ICQ?
ICQ, short for the phrase "I Seek You," laid the groundwork for standalone instant messaging clients when it arrived in November 1996. Think about how long ago that was... Windows 95 was barely a year old, Nintendo had just introduced the N64, and those with a reason to have a cell phone actually used it to talk on.
Signal is the go-to app for true private messaging
Using end-to-end encrypted messaging can make data inaccessible to those that wish to collect it. Signal is the gold standard for private messaging apps (desktop and mobile), it is free and open source.
What Ever Happened to MSN Messenger?
It was the late 90s, social media platforms like Facebook didn't yet exist, texting was in its infancy, email was very popular, instant messaging was up for the taking and Microsoft took notice.
WhatsApp desktop app no longer requires your phone to be online
Whether you're at home or work, WhatsApp desktop makes your Windows/Mac the ultimate messaging machine. The latest version lets you link up to 4 devices and 1 phone, but don't need the latter to be online.