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BitTorrent's Bleep messenger is a secure, decentralized chat platform
There's a distinctive sound your computer makes when an online friend is trying to get your attention. Sometimes its high pitched, other times its a low, warm tone, but regardless of your chat software, the onomatopoeia probably reads something like "bleep" which -- by no coincidence, we're sure -- is what BitTorrent is calling its new messaging platform. Unlike Google Hangouts, AIM or Skype, however, Bleep is a decentralized communication platform, design specifically to protect user metadata and anonymity.
Facebook Messenger now lets you instantly send video clips
Facebook Messenger used to lag behind other messaging apps like Line or Viber when it came to sending media files. The key phrase here is "used to," because its developers just gave it an instant video-sending feature on top of the voice- and photo-sharing functions they added in April. Now, when you tap the camera icon and hold the Send button, you can automatically record and send short video clips to friends. If you change your mind while recording (because you realized you haven't even combed yet... among other things), simply swipe your finger off the Send button or quickly press X in the middle of the video clip while it loads on the chat window. Facebook's slowly rolling out this Messenger update to both iOS and Android devices, so don't worry if it's not showing up on your updates list yet. But when it does, it'll also come with the capability to send bigger thumbs up icons, because, hey, why not?
Hangouts' web chat now lets you sketch messages
Ever threatened to draw someone a picture because they didn't understand you in an online chat? It's now easy to act on that threat. Google has started rolling out an update to Hangouts' web interface that lets you sketch your ideas. If you have access, hovering over the camera icon will reveal a pencil button that launches the new tool. While it's extremely simple, the mini-app should be enough to annotate a picture or whip up a quick diagram. We've reached out to Google for more details regarding its new doodler, including the possibility of a mobile launch; we'll let you know if there's more to add. For now, you'll just have to keep checking Hangouts' web client to see if you can craft your own visual aids.
Here's how Microsoft tried to win the early instant messaging wars
The battle between modern chat services like LINE and WhatsApp is fierce, but it has nothing on the war between Microsoft and AOL (Engadget's parent company) at the turn of the century. Former Microsoft developer David Auerbach has revealed that his MSN Messenger team fought hard for compatibility with AOL Instant Messenger in the summer of 1999, all in the hopes of attracting some converts. At one point, Auerbach was in a daily struggle -- AOL would break MSN support by the morning, and he'd have a fix in place by the evening.
Imo drops support for third-party chat networks to focus on its own
Imo has long served as a chat network aggregator, putting all your conversations in one place. However, the company believes that this strategy has led to compromises that hold back its own messaging efforts. To sharpen its focus, it's dropping support for all third-party services. The firm will start turning off the lights on March 3rd, and you'll have until March 7th to download your chat history from outside platforms. Imo argues that the narrower scope will help it create the "fastest and most reliable" communication service on the planet. The company may need to act quickly on that goal if it wants to keep and grow its fan base -- we can't imagine that many users are happy with Imo losing one of its most appealing features.
Google denies making a bid for WhatsApp
Rumors that Google engaged in a bidding war with Facebook over WhatsApp are false -- at least, if you ask Google's Sundar Pichai. The Senior VP tells The Telegraph that his company "never made an offer" to buy the messaging giant, and that any claims to the contrary are "simply untrue." We're inclined to believe him, although the denial suggests that Facebook may have paid $19 billion so that it wouldn't have to compete with Google (or anyone else) on yet another important acquisition.
WhatsApp to add voice communication by summer
When the announcement hit that Facebook was snapping up WhatsApp (beating out Google in the process), the gargantuan $19 billion price tag was hard to justify. But, with 465 million active users per month, there's a lot of potential for other, perhaps more profitable services. Today at MWC, TechCrunch has heard from WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum that a new service is indeed coming to the platform relatively soon: voice communication. Of WhatsApp's now 330 million daily user base, those on Android and iOS will get the feature first when it rolls out in second quarter 2014, followed by those on "some Nokia and BlackBerry phones." We're not clear on exactly how it'll work -- whether you'll send voice messages like Voxer, or make calls like Skype -- or if we'll be expected to pay for the privilege. (You can record and send audio clips within WhatsApp conversations already, but it's not exactly elegant.) Given there are a number of free voice-based services available to us already, however, we imagine it being part of the standard subscription. Assuming WhatsApp actually want us to use it, anyway.
Facebook to buy WhatsApp for $19 billion
The balance of power in the mobile messaging space is about to shift in a big way -- Facebook has just announced plans to acquire WhatsApp for the equivalent of $19 billion in cash and stock. The deal will see WhatsApp run semi-independently, much like Instagram. The chat service will maintain its brand and existing offices, but it will take advantage of Facebook's "expertise, resources and scale." It's safe to say that the combined entity will have a lot of clout should the deal close later this year. WhatsApp already has over 450 million active users every month; combine that with Facebook Messenger and competitors like Line suddenly appear tiny by comparison.
BBM Channels and Voice come to Android and iPhone
BBM is about to become considerably more useful to Android and iPhone users -- even if they don't have many people on their contact lists. BlackBerry now says that its promised Channels and Voice support should reach the BBM apps for both platforms later today. As on BlackBerry 10, Channels lets you chat about hot topics with fellow users, whether or not they're already friends. Voice, meanwhile, does exactly what it says on the tin: you can make internet-based calls to your BBM buddies. Whether or not you find much use from these two biggest features, you may still appreciate other significant additions like Dropbox file-sharing integration, Glympse location sharing and expanded BBM Groups. We'll let you know when we see the Android and iOS upgrades reach their respective app stores.
BBM beta for Android gets Channels and voice chat
Android users who've enjoyed their first taste of BBM will want to visit the BlackBerry Beta Zone today. BlackBerry has just released a private beta of the messaging client that introduces promised Channels and Voice support, giving Android users the same social feeds and free WiFi calling as their BB10 bretheren. There's no mention of when the feature will reach either the public BBM build or its iOS equivalent, but it's clear that wider availability is close at hand.
Razer Comms for Android keeps in-game chat alive when you leave your PC
It can be tough to leave in-game voice chats -- step away to walk the dog and you may miss an important strategy session. You'll stay in the loop with Razer's new Comms for Android, though. The free app improves on rival clients from Steam and Teamspeak by supporting both voice chats and text while on the road; you won't have to miss out on either team banter or private messages. Comms for Android is also useful if you're still sitting at your desk, as it lets you respond to SMS and turn down calls through its Windows equivalent. The mobile software is available now through Google Play, and Razer promises that iOS users will get Comms sometime in the first quarter of 2014.
Skype for Windows Phone comes to China with app upgrades in tow
Skype's newest Chinese partnership may not allay fears of government snooping, but it's paying dividends for mobile users -- Skype for Windows Phone has just reached the country for the first time as part of a larger app update. Microsoft's messaging client appears to be the same regardless of region, suggesting that the Chinese aren't losing any features. That's good news, as there's a few noteworthy updates in store. Users can now copy and paste instant messages, and there's a new high contrast mode for those with vision trouble; the app should load faster, too. No matter where you live, you can grab the Skype update today from the Windows Phone Store.
WhatsApp Messenger gets its long-awaited iOS 7 makeover
WhatsApp is more than a little late to the iOS 7 app update party, but it's making up for the long delay with a sweeping upgrade to its Messenger client. In addition to sporting an appropriately flatter interface, the new version introduces broadcast lists -- you can now address large groups of people at once, such as an entire class. The refresh also improves location sharing with a 3D map, while shutterbugs can crop images and see larger thumbnails. It's easier to manage blocked contacts, too. Chatty iPhone owners can grab the WhatsApp update for free from the App Store, although they'll eventually need to fork over 99 cents per year.
BBM Channels launches today for BlackBerry smartphones
BlackBerry's tentative step into the world of feed-based social networking, BBM Channels, is at last leaving beta. As of 3PM Eastern, those with BlackBerry 10 and classic BlackBerry OS devices can use the Tumblr-like service for themselves, subscribing to content feeds from both major providers and their friends. Android and iOS users, meanwhile, will have to sit tight -- BlackBerry says that Channels support for their platforms is arriving in the "coming months."
Skype changes its mind: accessories and call recording will keep working
Changes to Skype's platform meant several features -- support for third party apps, call recording and compatibility with some hardware accessories -- were slated to disappear next month. Now, the team has revealed that he last two have received something of a reprieve, at least until Redmond determines "alternative options or retire(s) the current solution." Third party apps, unfortunately, are still on the chopping block -- if you want to use Trillian or other chat clients for instant messaging, you're out of luck. [Image credit: Rusty Sheriff/Flickr]
BlackBerry resumes BBM launch for Android and iOS
BlackBerry is at last ready to resume its paused BBM rollout for Android and iOS. The instant messaging client should reach the App Store, Google Play and certain Samsung Apps portals within the next few hours. Not everyone can start chatting right away, however. To prevent a repeat of last month's server troubles, the company is implementing a queue system: those who signed up in advance can use BBM right away, while latecomers will have to secure a spot in line. It's not quite the broad launch many were hoping for, but it is good news for a company that has lately been feeling down.
NSA collecting email and messaging contacts worldwide, Yahoo moves to encrypt webmail by default
Don't think that the NSA's bulk communication data collection is focused solely on the communications themselves. The Washington Post has published more Edward Snowden documents which reveal that the agency collects large volumes of contact lists from email and instant messaging users around the world. While the NSA gathers the information on foreign soil, its method reportedly prevents it from automatically screening out any Americans in the list. The NSA and anonymous officials argue that American laws prevent analysts from accessing data unless they believe there's a foreign target hidden with, but the strategy still has the government storing contacts for "millions" of people. Yahoo customers are some of the most common targets of this surveillance, as the company doesn't normally encrypt webmail sessions. That's about to change, however. The internet firm tells the Post that its webmail service will default to using SSL encryption on January 8th, catching up with Facebook and Google. Yahoo isn't officially tightening its security in response to NSA activity, and using SSL won't necessarily stop interceptions when spies frequently have workarounds. However, the upcoming encryption will at least complicate any snooping -- whether or not it's part of an intelligence operation.
BlackBerry and Kik settle lawsuit over messaging patents
Kik has lived with the burden of a lawsuit for most of its life -- BlackBerry sued the company in 2010 for allegedly infringing on BBM-related patents with its multi-platform chat app. All that's water under the bridge, however, as Kik says that the two firms quietly settled the lawsuit last month. While the terms of the deal aren't public, it's clear that Kik is ultimately the winner. The startup had once offered to halt development if BBM went cross-platform, but it's now larger than the service it meant to replace -- Kik has over 90 million users versus BBM's 60 million. If nothing else, the settlement shows that it's wise to avoid making enemies in the technology world.
Skype apps for iPad and iPhone get an iOS 7 interface makeover
Skype brought a basic level of iOS 7 support to its iPad and iPhone communication apps last month, but the developer isn't satisfied with that mere tune-up. It just released new versions of both apps that sport a flatter, iOS 7-friendly interface. The updates also improve accessibility, particularly for those who need VoiceOver assistance. If you've been waiting for Skype to match Apple's minimalist aesthetic, you can grab the upgraded software through the source links.
BitTorrent teases decentralized chat client in the wake of security breaches
Today, BitTorrent announced it's building a private instant messaging client for our post-PRISM world. The firm told CNET that BitTorrent Chat should function like the company's other peer-to-peer services, using a form of torrenting's decentralized technology-approach that's been adapted for real-time communications. And while compatibility with other IM protocols is expected in the future, for now it's exclusive to BitTorrent account holders. You can even apply for an invite into the pre-alpha at the BitTorrent Labs site -- if you're so inclined, that is.