There were two SMS mistakes by Signal:

1. https://signal.org/blog/goodbye-encrypted-sms/

2. https://signal.org/blog/sms-removal-android/

@MonkderZweite
@z0rg0n

Try out any of these:

- Session @session
- SimpleX @simplex
- Threema @threemaapp

They all don't require a phone number, which makes them immediately better than Signal, for devices that don't have a SIM.

@rustyriffs
@u_tamtam

Here are the links to the documentation for these standards:

MLS - https://datatracker.ietf.org/wg/mls/documents/

Signal Protocol - https://www.signal.org/docs/

RCS - https://www.gsma.com/futurenetworks/rcs/universal-profile/ & https://www.gsma.com/futurenetworks/resources/rcs-up-2-4-uni/

@skullgiver

Accessing the keys from the server isn't really a mystery or hidden. It's technically possible for Apple to write software to query servers run by Google as well as any servers they created for themselves.

You don't need implementation source code when you have open standards already.

WhatsApp actually used Signal's development team to rollout the Signal protocol for them, but that app is still untrustworthy.

@skullgiver

What kind of openness are you hoping for? Google has built their solution with a bunch of already open pieces.

RCS + Signal protocol + MLS

https://www.androidauthority.com/google-messages-mls-3346918/

https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/20/23801536/google-messages-app-mls-support-announce

@Ghostalmedia

> I would argue that bad experiences aren’t due to trains but due to poor investment and management.

I agree. I used trains to get to school as a commuter.

Nothing makes a train more unusable than not knowing when it will arrive at the destination (it was sometimes hours late) or if it will show up at all (the schedule was constantly changing, and some trains would just be cancelled when equipment was broken).

@luthis @scarabic

Google and Samsung were the only apps to implement RCS (and the infrastructure to support the app) so far.

Nothing Google has done prevents any other organizations that want to invest the time and money from also implementing the standard.

https://www.gsma.com/futurenetworks/rcs/universal-profile/

Apple, on the other hand, doesn't allow iMessage apps or servers that they didn't create themselves. Or even an SMS/RCS app on their devices.

@NENathaniel

RCS has always been an open standard.

Only Google has done the work to implement it for billions of devices, so far.

That has never prevented Apple from also implementing the standard on their devices.

https://www.gsma.com/futurenetworks/rcs/universal-profile/

@13617 @Corgana

RCS is already an open standard, that's why Apple is and always has been able to implement it themselves without relying on Google for anything.

@NENathaniel @kirklennon

I surely do!

Try Session or SimpleX or Threema.

Threema is the oldest and most polished option. You do have to buy a license for a one-time fee though. It's entirely worth the play store credit I spent, but if I were to buy now, I'd use their website store so I could use the open source app instead.

@comfydecal
@u_tamtam

You can get good battery life from a Pixel 6, 7, or 8 series device even with stock Android.

It only gets better when flashing a custom OS, particularly GrapheneOS, because you have more control over which apps can be running or using the network / location chips because radio or location can chew through battery charge very quickly.

@Corkyskog

This video covers most of your questions.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=qxAnWYUvDxg

Alternative 🔗:
https://yewtu.be/watch?v=qxAnWYUvDxg
https://piped.video/watch?v=qxAnWYUvDxg

@Corkyskog