Beeper Mini on Continued Outages: 'It's Super Annoying That Apple is Penalizing Their Own Customers'

[Harthag]

Beeper is completely unusable for me and I detached all of my RCS and iMessage chats and signed out on the app. It's a joke at this point. Missed a lot of messages sent to my Apple ID I discovered when checking my iPhone. I'm all for Beeper, but that's what they get for being arrogant and gloating. And charging for it. It was a glorious 2-3 days when Mini launched😂.

Two of my iOS family members made comments that messages couldn't go through even to my iCloud email. I told them to contact tcook@apple.com for their troubles. And buy a real phone while they're at it.

/s

I'm kidding. I laugh at Floss's reviews when he reviews an iPhone, he occasionally will open websites and say go to samsung.com where you can buy a real phone. That must rile up the Mafia 😂.

 

[oliverades]

This is an interesting characterization and also leads me to think that, in a sense, an argument that Beeper is implying is that the iMessage ecosystem is a "common good" (i.e., it is public or public-ish) and therefore they should have the right to access it and their users demand its use. It's an interesting bizarre turn on thinking what is and isn't legitimate.

Definitely. And honestly, while I disagree with the “public good” argument it would be somewhat legitimate…if only they didn’t have android users paying to use their app that accesses it. Seems like it’s a public good or a private good based on whichever benefits them in the moment

 

[dk001]

Many of us consider it, but really don’t have much concern about SMS security, as we don’t use it for anything where we care about security, as I won’t text my Android devices with anything I am concerned about and don’t have an interesting enough life that my conversations with others involve anything I worry about. …

You are one of the few but that’s good. All of my financials, shipping, utilities, alters, etc … all use the default messaging - SMS - irrespective of the receiving OS as there is no current standard.

For the future RCS in iMessage, one can only hope that E2EE comes sooner than later.

 

[dk001]

Then hopefully apple locks this down so third parties can’t make use of the protocol even if it’s reverse engineered.

I agree with your post even if that was not what I was pointing to. I find it pretty sad in this day and age that for all the “privacy” and “security” Apple touts, they have this big messaging (SMS/MMS) gap.

 

[dk001]

You are one of the few but that’s good. All of my financials, shipping, utilities, alters, etc … all use the default messaging - SMS - irrespective of the receiving OS as there is no current standard.

For the future RCS in iMessage, one can only hope that E2EE comes sooner than later.

@Kal Madda

Just curious as you disagreed with my post (above).
What part did you disagree with?

 

[Kal Madda]

@Kal Madda

Just curious as you disagreed with my post (above).
What part did you disagree with?

I disagree with the idea that he’s one of the few that consider security. Plenty of us care about security, I don’t think it’s a minority, that’s one of the selling points of iOS, greater security.

 

[bobcomer]

Plenty of us care about security, it’s not a minority, that’s one of the selling points of iOS, greater security.

Got any way to back that statement up? I happen to think the opposite, but notice I said think, i didn't state it (It's not a minority) as fact as you have.

I care about security of the device and my email accounts and appleid, but that's about it, iMessage, RCS, SMS, security doesn't mean much to me since the rollover default is no security.

 

[Kal Madda]

Got any way to back that statement up? I happen to think the opposite, but notice I said think, i didn't state it (It's not a minority) as fact as you have.

I care about security of the device and my email accounts and appleid, but that's about it, iMessage, RCS, SMS, security doesn't mean much to me since the rollover default is no security.

I care about security, but I agree with you that I don’t care about SMS. It’s secure enough to be the standard system, so that’s good enough for me. If they improve it at some point, or add a different standard, then that’s fine, but I’m not really that worried about it.

I’ll edit my post to say “I think”, sorry about the oversight. I was explaining my opinion and why I disagreed with what he said. 👍🏻

 

[dk001]

I disagree with the idea that he’s one of the few that consider security. Plenty of us care about security, I don’t think it’s a minority, that’s one of the selling points of iOS, greater security.

Okay - Thanks.

 

[bgillander]

You are one of the few but that’s good. All of my financials, shipping, utilities, alters, etc … all use the default messaging - SMS - irrespective of the receiving OS as there is no current standard.

For the future RCS in iMessage, one can only hope that E2EE comes sooner than later.

The problem is actually that is that there is a current standard, and it is SMS… or as you said “the default messaging”. I know at least three people that just recently got flip phones because they didn’t want a smartphone (seriously, it seemed a very weird coincidence at two, then it seemed like a trend!), so all those companies sending texts will most likely continue to default to the lowest common denominator, with your best case being maybe a few offering a choice of RCS.

I agree with your post even if that was not what I was pointing to. I find it pretty sad in this day and age that for all the “privacy” and “security” Apple touts, they have this big messaging (SMS/MMS) gap.

As above, I don’t see this as an Apple issue, because as you said, the SMS messages from the source are “irrespective of the receiving OS”. I think you are projecting too much power on Apple, as I can’t really see them preventing base SMS unless the telecoms actually get rid of it, because there are apparently still people that prefer flip phones and the lowest common denominator usually wins. Contrary to the belief of some here, there really isn’t a monopoly on cell phones, and it isn’t even a duopoly, as there are still other devices than just smartphones.

 

[TimFL1]

this is not about technology, they don't care about consumers.
Google is loosing on data collection from messages because they released 4 different messaging apps in last 5 years and nothing worked.
now if they force Apple to use RCS standard then Google can kill What's App and all other messaging apps and get all messaging data because 99.99% of the people own either iPhone or an Android phone.

This wont kill WhatsApp. There is no real incentive for the vast majority of the world to suddenly switch over to RCS from WhatsApp.

I don’t think FaceBook Messenger supports SMS on iOS. They could, there’s no system limitation preventing them to, and if they did, you could just hide the Apple Messages app and just use Messenger as your go to. It doesn’t require a “set as default” setting to do this. With browsers, it makes a bit more sense, since you open links from other apps, and then it automatically opens your default browser. But there’s no such advantage to “set as default” for messaging apps, you just hide one and keep the other front and center where you want to use it. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Other apps absolutely cannot support SMS on iOS. There is no official SDK to hijack SMS functionality on iOS and even if there were a way to send SMS somehow, App review would instantly nuke your app.

It‘s one of the areas where I think Apple could drop a lot of hate by giving in and allowing App developers to request an app scope to manage SMS functionality, but they keep touting the „we want to ensure users don‘t incur any cost by apps abusing SMS/MMS functionality“ (yes, SMS/MMS still costs an arm and a leg in most countries, especially cross borders).

 

[scorpio vega]

Many of us consider it, but really don’t have much concern about SMS security, as we don’t use it for anything where we care about security, as I won’t text my Android devices with anything I am concerned about and don’t have an interesting enough life that my conversations with others involve anything I worry abou

Exactly. If someone wants to hijack my text about pointless memes and selfies and flirty texts to some loser i met at a bar, go for it. Heck, i even go back and read old conversations with exes for the lols so why not bring humor to someone who is hijacking me lmao.

samsung.com where you can buy a real phone.

that definitely is a joke implying samsung's are a real phone lol.

I agree with your post even if that was not what I was pointing to. I find it pretty sad in this day and age that for all the “privacy” and “security” Apple touts, they have this big messaging (SMS/MMS) gap.

they don't. If most of the world is utilizing whatsapp and others as their primary thing, then this really is not a gap.

I disagree with the idea that he’s one of the few that consider security. Plenty of us care about security, I don’t think it’s a minority, that’s one of the selling points of iOS, greater security.

I care about security. I am also not overly paranoid either.
the same people calling for e2ee and privacy are the same ones who use google services and android.
if that is not the biggest hypocrisy i've seen.

Also i love when Android users make my point for me. Android users deny this is about a color and want to preach about privacy lol.

But in reality it really is simply about conforming lol.
This entire article right here is kind of pitiful. Notice this is not just some random fan post like the android users here but an actual enthusiast site that is blaming Apple users for not having a need for any other apps. Notice there is absolutely no mention of E2EE(BECAUSE IT IS NOT THAT BIG A DEAL TO MOST PEOPLE).

It really is simply about Android users feeling slighted.

I don't want iMessage for Android – I just want everyone to use good messaging apps

iMessage for Android is only a cool idea because of the ridiculous attitude that's developed around the service, when other apps exist.

9to5google.com

 

[scorpio vega]

I just posted this in another topic but it does appear (In the US) based on 2020 anyway that even with iPhones being the dominant phones that iMessage still is not the most popular app which pokes holes in the "iPhone users dont use anything but iMessage" argument android fans have made

United States: messenger app penetration 2024| Statista

According to a survey conducted among internet users in the United States in 2024, Facebook Messenger was the most popular messaging service, with 55 percent of respondents using it.

www.statista.com

@bobcomer @dk001

 

[cocky jeremy]

Want to bet?
Many of us use multiple OSs.

Then pull out your iPhone. Easy enough.

 

[cocky jeremy]

LOL when did I say i felt bullied over a color? I am nearly 30. I dont care about a color. I care about making money lmfao.

I didn't mean YOU specifically. Just in general.

 

[Kal Madda]

Other apps absolutely cannot support SMS on iOS. There is no official SDK to hijack SMS functionality on iOS and even if there were a way to send SMS somehow, App review would instantly nuke your app.

It‘s one of the areas where I think Apple could drop a lot of hate by giving in and allowing App developers to request an app scope to manage SMS functionality, but they keep touting the „we want to ensure users don‘t incur any cost by apps abusing SMS/MMS functionality“ (yes, SMS/MMS still costs an arm and a leg in most countries, especially cross borders).

I looked into it and there are App Store apps that support SMS messaging, at least they claim to, and they have thousands of reviews… I don’t think I would personally use them, but they do exist…

 

[Starks]

This can all end today if Apple releases their finished RCS code instead of shelving it until iOS 18.

 

[scorpio vega]

This can all end today if Apple releases their finished RCS code instead of shelving it until iOS 18.

You make it seem as if they have a finished code. It makes sense to release it for IOS 18 as a "new feature" to market.

Android fans are wanting iMessage but I am hoping with all this whining they are doing, that apple somehow also enhances iMessage as well aside from the RCS bs

 

[bobcomer]

I looked into it and there are App Store apps that support SMS messaging, at least they claim to, and they have thousands of reviews… I don’t think I would personally use them, but they do exist…

Those can't be the default SMS on iPhone though. The one's I've seen use a second phone number, not tied to your phone. They can come in handy though if you want to text and not have it tied to your phone. I've used google voice, which can do that, and Verizon has an app that can receive texts from another number if it's in your account.

 

[dk001]

…

they don't. If most of the world is utilizing whatsapp and others as their primary thing, then this really is not a gap.

I am not aware of a single global or US based business that uses WhatsApp as the initial messaging method. They use email or SMS. Including the Government - State and Federal.

I care about security. I am also not overly paranoid either.
the same people calling for e2ee and privacy are the same ones who use google services and android.
if that is not the biggest hypocrisy i've seen.

…

I use MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, iPadOS, Android (several variations). Apparently your concern about security (and maybe privacy) stop where you think it should, not where it actually does.

 

[dk001]

I just posted this in another topic but it does appear (In the US) based on 2020 anyway that even with iPhones being the dominant phones that iMessage still is not the most popular app which pokes holes in the "iPhone users dont use anything but iMessage" argument android fans have made

United States: messenger app penetration 2024| Statista

According to a survey conducted among internet users in the United States in 2024, Facebook Messenger was the most popular messaging service, with 55 percent of respondents using it.

www.statista.com

@bobcomer @dk001

Take a deeper look and see what stat is actually being termed “dominant” and what the statistics are actually showing vs what is being claimed. Read the title.

 

[dk001]

Then pull out your iPhone. Easy enough.

That would be cool, and sometimes I do, however they are two different numbers. I also do not use “iMessage” except where default Apple says I have to.

 

[TimFL1]

I looked into it and there are App Store apps that support SMS messaging, at least they claim to, and they have thousands of reviews… I don’t think I would personally use them, but they do exist…

There literally is no way to use your cellular plan to send SMS/MMS via 3rd party apps. These potentially provide a custom cellular plan or use a service to send texts via random numbers they own.

 

[BaldiMac]

Take a deeper look and see what stat is actually being termed “dominant” and what the statistics are actually showing vs what is being claimed. Read the title.

I know I'm probably catching the tail end of the conversation, but I can't figure out what you are talking about here. Can you clarify?

That would be cool, and sometimes I do, however they are two different numbers. I also do not use “iMessage” except where default Apple says I have to.

Where does "default Apple" say you have to use iMessage?

 

[Harthag]

Now some more legislators are trying to push the DOJ to investigate Apple. Not to throw this thread off topic, but congress has FAR more important issues they need to address than this ridiculous issue. I can't believe it'll go anywhere, who knows.

US lawmakers push DOJ to investigate Apple following Beeper shutdowns

More pressure on that battle over blue bubbles.

www.theverge.com