Google has begun rolling out it's new Chat messaging service, designed to replace the bog-standard SMS app on Android phones. The new Chat app includes features such as group texts, videos, typing indicators and delivery receipts which, let's be honest here, are considered standard features of most messaging apps these days. This isn't a messaging revolution, more just Google playing catch-up.
There's a couple of catches with this service though; there's no encryption and it it's up to mobile operators to enable the service. Google have been working on this new messaging service for a few years at this point, but it's finally starting to arrive on Android devices.
This isn't Google's first attempt at a feature-rich messaging app, but previous efforts failed to get enough of an audience to catch on. Both Hangouts and Allo were shunned by users. The iPhone has had these kind of features built in for years at this point, and third-party rival apps such as WhatsApp and FB Messenger have provided these services to Android users for some time now. Google wants to encourage network operators as well as manufacturers to start including the new messaging tech in their offerings.
Personally, I'm less than impressed with this news. With the recent Facebook and Cambridge Analytica scandal, encryption and privacy is on most people's minds now. To you, the reader, I recommend that you look into another messaging rival; Signal. I've been using Signal for a couple of years now, since Edward Snowden first blew the whistle on the US (and also UK) government's ability to spy on its citizens. Signal is all about encryption, and offers all the usual features that you would want. Video and voice, SMS and MMS plus more all with the best possible encryption. If the person you're sending a text to doesn't have Signal, then it'll just be sent as a SMS message instead.
If you are concerned about your privacy and want to protect your conversations from Big Brother, I strongly recommend you look into Signal. It's available for both Android and iPhone, as well as a desktop app. You can read more about Signal over on their website.
What messaging app do you mainly use and why? Have you heard about Signal? Let me know your thoughts and feelings down in the comment section, and as always make sure to follow me for the latest Cryptocurrency, Tech, Internet and Pop Culture updates. Until we meet again, stay safe!
Source:
EXCLUSIVE: CHAT IS GOOGLE’S NEXT BIG FIX FOR ANDROID’S MESSAGING MESS from The Verge (https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/19/17252486/google-android-messages-chat-rcs-anil-sabharwal-imessage-texting)
Signal > > Home (https://signal.org/)
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