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BBM

Apple Messages most secure messaging platform

technologyEdward Kiledjian
Image by Daniel Dudek-Corrigan used under Creative Commons License

Image by Daniel Dudek-Corrigan used under Creative Commons License

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has released an interesting comparison chart showing how well the most common instant messaging platforms compete on security.

The EFF analysis looked at these criteria:

  • Encrypted in transit
  • Encrypted so the provider can't read it
  • Can you verify contacts identity
  • Are past communication protected if keys are stolen 
  • Is the code open to independent review
  • Is security design properly documented
  • Has the code been audited
    Are

The highest rated tools (scoring 7 out of 7) were:

  • ChatSecure
  • CryptoCat
  • Signal/Redphone
  • Silent Phone
  • Silent Text
  • TextSecure

Not surprisingly, Apple's Facetime & iMessage (Messages) were ranked as the most secure mass market messaging tools. 

although neither currently provides complete protection against sophisticated, targeted forms of surveillance
— EFF

Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger, Blackberry Messenger and Microsoft's Skype were dinged on several fronts including lack of protection of past communications and lack of detailed documentation about security.

EFF Press Release : Link

EFF Scorecard : Link

 

Whatsapp to add voice Services

technologyEdward Kiledjian
Image by  abulhussain under Creative Commons License

Image by  abulhussain under Creative Commons License

Read up about Telegram Messenger, a solid Whatsapp alternative (link)

Whatsapp was swallowed by Facebook in exchange for a cool $19B. To keep it exciting and in the news, the CEO, Jan Koum, announced that they will be bringing voice services to market. Sure you can send voice notes today but they want to bring actual voice calling functionality to their users. 

Is this something that excites you? Do you really need another VOIP client? It is a platform with more than 400M users so adoption will be incredible. It is important to note that this functionality (along with video chatting) already exists in the current Blackberry BBM client (IOS, Android and Blackberrry 10).

Related Articles:

BBM Coming to windows Phone

technologyEdward Kiledjian
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Stephen Elop just announced (at the Mobile World Mobile Conference in Barcelona) that Blackberries popular cross-platform mobile messenger app is coming to Windows phone "in the coming months". 

BBM them sent a press release clarifying that BBM for Windows Phone will be available this summer. Additionally we learned that BBM will also be available for the new Nokia X Android phone also. The press release also confirms that all BBM 2 features will be available at launch (BBM channels, voice, video, etc).

BBM Press Release (link)

BBM 2.0 for IOS and Android coming today

technologyEdward Kiledjian
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Blackberry promised us BBM 2.0 early 2014 and it looks like they are delivering. The update is expected to be available on the Google Play store and the Apple itunes AppStore today. It wasn't available when I checked but they confirmed it is coming.

What does BBM 2.0 bring?

  • BBM Voice : is a cross-platform VOIP system
  • BBM Channels : is a twitter like BBM only one-to-many messaging system
  • BBM Location: location sharing now available via Glympse
  • Attachments: Ability to attach voice notes, calendar events and contacts to a BMM message
  • Dropbox integration for file sharing
samsungs4_bbm_quick_share_sendfile_eng.jpg

So keep checking your app store.

BBM Voice chat coming to IOS and Android next year

technologyEdward Kiledjian
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BBM for IOS and Android has been available for some time but it still lacks many of the features found on the BB10 version. Now Blackberry has let the cat out of the bag and everyone can expect functional parity between all of the different versions in 2014.

You don't use a BB10 device so you're wondering what's in store? 2 features:

  • BBM Voice - Is a VOIP service similar to Skype or FaceTime Audio
  • BBM Channels - Is Blackberry's own social media network that reminds me of twitter.
  • More Sharing - Better sharing options for pictures and locations.

Source: Blackberry blog