8 WhatsApp replacements

Mike Hoxbig said:
People going OTT with their reactions as usual. MS acquiring Skype didn't really change it much, and I expect it to be much of the same with Whatsapp.
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Allin said:
Google Talk was brilliant. Hangouts is an absolute PAIN.
If FB insists on me having an account to use Whatsapp I will try Telegram.

And as for MS buying Skype - Skype became so intrusive I abandoned my Skype credit of a few hundred Rand.
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And don't forget about the stoopid advertising thats on Skype now. :( Something FB would have done and I think that is what they are going to do with whatsapp.
 
McT said:
Been happily using Viber for a while now. Easy to use and a nice alternative to [-]Facebook[/-] :erm: WhatsApp.QUOTE]

I just checked Viber. It is not even updated for iOS 7 and looks horrible with the old interface. It was last updated in January. I refuse to use an app that is so behind time. (And I used to like Viber).
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Telegram looks like a good alternative. The interface is very much like Whatsapp with some good features like secret talk and desktop use.
 
cozinsky said:
Telegram looks like a good alternative. The interface is very much like Whatsapp with some good features like secret talk and desktop use.
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I have managed to get most of the people that I talk to on a regular basis on WhatsApp to Telegram. It is a good replacement.
 
I switched to Telegram and got the people I chat with most on it too! The single greatest pro of Telegram over WhatsApp is that I can install it on my phone, tablet, Linux PC and Windows Laptop and the messages will sync across all devices. Meaning I can pick up any device and continue chatting away. :)

EDIT: You can install it on a Chromebook too if you happen to have one.
 
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Mike Hoxbig said:
A rather large portion of users may not like the idea, but the majority of users will remain unfazed. Hence it being a futile exercise to leave just to prove a point.
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Not specifically trying to prove a point and I agree it would be a futile exercise regardless. Doesn't mean I won't stop using the app if I feel the need. Won't be running around handing out tinfoil hats urging folks to stop using whatsapp either :/

Slootvreter said:
How do you know WhatsApp hasn't been doing that? And how does this affect the service?
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I don't. I also "don't know" that Google scans everything that passes through my gmail account and tailors ads for me. The service to the end user isn't affected I suppose but that isn't really relevant on my side.
 
From Telegram's FAQ

How is Telegram different from WhatsApp?

Unlike WhatsApp, Telegram is cloud-based and heavily encrypted. As a result, you can access your messages from several devices (including desktops!) and share an unlimited number of photos, videos and documents (doc, zip, mp3, etc). Thanks to our multi-data center infrastructure and encryption, Telegram is also faster and way more secure. On top of that, Telegram is free and will stay free — no ads, no subscription fees, forever.
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Didn't the MyBB article say:

The bottom-line is that Telegram uses a custom protocol, so if you’re looking for a messenger with security that has undergone vigorous community vetting you should probably look elsewhere for the moment.
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So the security isn't that good.

How old is Telegram?

Telegram for iPhone was launched on August 14, 2013.
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That is not very old.... I would actually wait a bit.
 
Allin said:
I've used GTalk for many years, as did most of my primary contacts. When Hangouts was "forced" on us (yes, I use a rooted phone so I can get back to Gtalk but most people won't even dream of rooting their phones!) it took only weeks for most to abandon Hangouts. I liked the multi-platform capabilities of GTalk and the ability to have two accounts on one device, however Hangouts made everyone jump ship. I don't see anyone going back anytime soon. I don't have a FB account, neither many of my contacts. The moment FB requires me to "integrate" my FB and Whatsapp accounts I will jump ship.
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A Fakebook account for WA purposes might be the answer.
 
McGuywer said:
Didn't the MyBB article say: <snip> So the security isn't that good.
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No I said it wasn't as vigorously vetted as some other stuff out there. Doesn't mean it's not good, just that it hasn't been poked and prodded as much as older protocols have.

That said, I would assume Telegram is insecure for now until proven otherwise by repeated attempts to hack it.
 
The developers of Telegram said they will give something like $200 000.00 to the person that manages to break their encryption. Why dont you guys try it?
 
Jan said:
No I said it wasn't as vigorously vetted as some other stuff out there. Doesn't mean it's not good, just that it hasn't been poked and prodded as much as older protocols have.

That said, I would assume Telegram is insecure for now until proven otherwise by repeated attempts to hack it.
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Thanx for the feedback.
 
Flip-Flop said:
The developers of Telegram said they will give something like $200 000.00 to the person that manages to break their encryption. Why dont you guys try it?
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Your correct.

From their FAQ:

What if my hacker friend says they could decipher Telegram messages?

Anyone who claims that Telegram messages can be deciphered is welcome to prove that claim in our competition and win $200,000. You can check out the Contest FAQ to learn more.

Comments on Telegram's security outside the scope of the contest are welcome at [email protected]
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Mike Hoxbig said:
People going OTT with their reactions as usual. MS acquiring Skype didn't really change it much, and I expect it to be much of the same with Whatsapp.
Click to expand...

Yup, instagram is still instagram.

Though when MS got hold of Skype, they did try push Facebook down my throat :D
 
McGuywer said:
From Telegram's FAQ



Didn't the MyBB article say:



So the security isn't that good.



That is not very old.... I would actually wait a bit.
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Another concern is its own by a Russian businessman. People in Russia these days only get rich by sucking Putins teet. Saying that, Ive installed it, but I do have privacy (that it might be possible for a dodgy russian secret service to see my messages) concerns.
 
ghoti said:
Another concern is its own by a Russian businessman. People in Russia these days only get rich by sucking Putins teet. Saying that, Ive installed it, but I do have privacy (that it might be possible for a dodgy russian secret service to see my messages) concerns.
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Telegram is headquartered in Berlin, and developers made it clear that the app is in no way linked to Russia. I suspect the developers trying to distance themselves and their app from Russia. Just because they are Russian does not mean all Russians are out to spy on and eventually nuke the entire planet, regardless of the shenanigans that their government gets up to. For all you know, they might be embarrassed by what their country is starting to represent. Who knows.
 
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