I really don't get the direction of the Signal project. iMessage got a huge following because it allows you to trabnsparently send both SMS and encrypted messages (significantly lowering barrier to entry) and brings that functionality even to the desktop
And it does this. On Android. Where the API allows it to do so.
On iOS, where Apple shuts out everyone not them from the interesting APIs, this is not an option. I was severely surprised when I got an iPhone and discovered I had to relate to several messaging-apps due to this restriction.
Still though: This is IMO not Signal's fault. They're just being limited by what Apple is willing to support.
It doesn't (I use Android) - it hijacks the datastore (breaking other apps that read it and backups), it doesn't work well with MMS at all and it doesn't sync conversations with the desktop app. It's a significantly subpar experience in comparison to iMessage.
Well, moving away from SMS doesn't mean you're stuck with just Signal of course... what about XMPP for example?
I consider Signal an imperfect but extremely useful option for a very specific use case: getting my family and friends to send me (and each other hopefully) encrypted messages, just cause.
And after having done that, I can say I see the genius of the approach Signal has taken.
XMPP is looking better these days than it did not long ago. OMEMO makes encrypted messaging a lot simpler, Conversations provides a reasonable mobile client, and Prosody makes deploying your own server easy. Still a ways to go on some things (push notifications), but a lot better than it used to be.
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And it does this. On Android. Where the API allows it to do so.
On iOS, where Apple shuts out everyone not them from the interesting APIs, this is not an option. I was severely surprised when I got an iPhone and discovered I had to relate to several messaging-apps due to this restriction.
Still though: This is IMO not Signal's fault. They're just being limited by what Apple is willing to support.
It doesn't (I use Android) - it hijacks the datastore (breaking other apps that read it and backups), it doesn't work well with MMS at all and it doesn't sync conversations with the desktop app. It's a significantly subpar experience in comparison to iMessage.
You are right. But lets not kid ourself. It would be better if everyone just moved away from SMS.
To what? A proprietary channel controlled by an US company?
Well, moving away from SMS doesn't mean you're stuck with just Signal of course... what about XMPP for example?
I consider Signal an imperfect but extremely useful option for a very specific use case: getting my family and friends to send me (and each other hopefully) encrypted messages, just cause.
And after having done that, I can say I see the genius of the approach Signal has taken.
XMPP is looking better these days than it did not long ago. OMEMO makes encrypted messaging a lot simpler, Conversations provides a reasonable mobile client, and Prosody makes deploying your own server easy. Still a ways to go on some things (push notifications), but a lot better than it used to be.