Telegram gains 1M users after Whatsapp ban • Hacker News Board

Re: Telegram gains 1M users after Whatsapp ban

#11

Post by lorenzhs » Thu, Dec 17, 2015, 10:50 AM UTC

tazjin wrote: post #4

etiam wrote: post #2

Shame they went there instead of to Signal, but I guess it may still be a marginal improvement.

Signal, and in extension the other privacy-aware messengers (Threema etc), can not replace Telegram or iMessage because they lack basic features like multi-device sync. The hard problem of messaging has not been solved yet, what people should build is a service like iMessage but with the public key pool per account publicly auditable and verifiable.

Signal has multi device sync now, and it's cryptographically secure. It works by sending Signal messages to the other linked devices. This enables Signal-Desktop (the Chrome app that is now in beta). Sync is only implemented in the Android client at the moment though.

Re: Telegram gains 1M users after Whatsapp ban

#12

Post by exo762 » Thu, Dec 17, 2015, 10:52 AM UTC

tazjin wrote: post #4

etiam wrote: post #2

Shame they went there instead of to Signal, but I guess it may still be a marginal improvement.

Signal, and in extension the other privacy-aware messengers (Threema etc), can not replace Telegram or iMessage because they lack basic features like multi-device sync. The hard problem of messaging has not been solved yet, what people should build is a service like iMessage but with the public key pool per account publicly auditable and verifiable.

Signal is currently beta testing "Signal Desktop" which introduces (somewhat limited) multi-device sync capability. I use it and I'm happy about experience.

I basically don't need other communicators right now for close family and part of my friends.

Occasional video call can be made using other platforms.

Re: Telegram gains 1M users after Whatsapp ban

#13

Post by nasir » Thu, Dec 17, 2015, 10:52 AM UTC

This is how regulations can influence you're business. Unrelated to this, but in corrupted countries a relative of the guy in the government can easily kill your business by asking him to ban yours or promote his!

Re: Telegram gains 1M users after Whatsapp ban

#14

Post by alistair77 » Thu, Dec 17, 2015, 10:52 AM UTC

sultansaladin wrote: post #3

etiam wrote: post #2

Shame they went there instead of to Signal, but I guess it may still be a marginal improvement.

I have used both, but never heard of Signal I'll try it.

+1 for Signal (used to be TextSecure). They now have a desktop app in beta which synchronises perfectly with my mobile

Re: Telegram gains 1M users after Whatsapp ban

#15

Post by fiatjaf » Thu, Dec 17, 2015, 10:55 AM UTC

I would love if a huge part of the population remained in WhatsApp while another migrated to Telegram and another kept both apps. I want people who use instant messaging services to suffer.

Re: Telegram gains 1M users after Whatsapp ban

#16

Post by evook » Thu, Dec 17, 2015, 10:56 AM UTC

tazjin wrote: post #4

etiam wrote: post #2

Shame they went there instead of to Signal, but I guess it may still be a marginal improvement.

Signal, and in extension the other privacy-aware messengers (Threema etc), can not replace Telegram or iMessage because they lack basic features like multi-device sync. The hard problem of messaging has not been solved yet, what people should build is a service like iMessage but with the public key pool per account publicly auditable and verifiable.

Since when was it possible to sync whatsapp over multiple devices?

That unnecessary limitation really disgusts me, since I am the type who deletes his whole chat history weekly because I don't want to carry it around with me in case of another targeted stealing attempt. I'd love to integrate my whatsapp xmpp account into pidgin.

Re: Telegram gains 1M users after Whatsapp ban

#17

Post by tazjin » Thu, Dec 17, 2015, 10:57 AM UTC

fiatjaf wrote: post #15

I would love if a huge part of the population remained in WhatsApp while another migrated to Telegram and another kept both apps. I want people who use instant messaging services to suffer.

What a strange remark. Are you envious of those who have someone to talk to?

Re: Telegram gains 1M users after Whatsapp ban

#18

Post by tazjin » Thu, Dec 17, 2015, 10:59 AM UTC

lorenzhs wrote: post #11

tazjin wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Signal, and in extension the other privacy-aware messengers (Threema etc), can not replace Telegram or iMessage because they lack basic features like multi-device sync. The hard problem of messaging has not been solved yet, what people should build is a service like iMessage but with the public key pool per account publicly auditable and verifiable.

Signal has multi device sync now, and it's cryptographically secure. It works by sending Signal messages to the other linked devices. This enables Signal-Desktop (the Chrome app that is now in beta). Sync is only implemented in the Android client at the moment though.

That's quite literally multi-device >>syncSeems like a low effort solution and would not satisfy my requirements, but it probably works for some people.

Re: Telegram gains 1M users after Whatsapp ban

#19

Post by junto » Thu, Dec 17, 2015, 11:00 AM UTC

All of this is good. The more competition the better. Pity they aren't all compatible. Then we might actually have an real email killer on our hands.

Re: Telegram gains 1M users after Whatsapp ban

#20

Post by fiatjaf » Thu, Dec 17, 2015, 11:02 AM UTC

tazjin wrote: post #17

fiatjaf wrote: post #15

I would love if a huge part of the population remained in WhatsApp while another migrated to Telegram and another kept both apps. I want people who use instant messaging services to suffer.

What a strange remark. Are you envious of those who have someone to talk to?

Yes, I am alone crying in my empty room while I write this.