Decades ago, a software program called Trillian introduced a way for Internet users to interact with multiple instant messaging networks, such as ICQ, AIM, and MSN Messenger, in a single window. Now, Pebble founder and Y Combinator partner Eric Migicovsky is revisiting this concept, but this time focusing on centralizing access to modern chat applications. Through the recently launched app, Beeper, users can connect with 15 different messaging services, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Instagram and Twitter DM, Messenger, Skype, Hangouts and others - even, through some tricks, iMessage.
Migicovsky says he came up with the idea for a universal chat app while working on the smartwatch pioneer Pebble, prior to its acquisition by Fitbit.
"We really wanted Pebble to be able to send iMessages, but we've never been able to find a way to do that because there's no API for iMessage," he explains. But Beeper's idea came to light two years ago when he learned about a protocol called the Matrix. "Everything Beeper is built on the Matrix, which is this open source federated and encrypted messaging protocol," he says.
Migicovsky describes the Matrix as primarily "a hacker thing", but believes it is starting to take off among developers. Basically, Matrix offers an API that allows developers to connect with other chat networks using a "bridge", which forwards messages back and forth from side to side.
"When I learned about this, I thought 'hey, we could build trillions using the Matrix,'" says Migicovsky.
Migicovsky began working on Beeper as a side project with Tulir Asokan, a Matrix contributor he met in a Matrix chat room.
In order to make Beeper (formerly called Nova) work with all the different chat apps, they had to build these connecting "bridges". This code is also open source and available at Gitlab.com/Nova.
"We think it's really important for people to know what code they're running, so it's all open source. People can inspect it," Migicovsky notes.
For this reason, people don't even have to pay Beeper the $ 10 per month they are charged for accessing the service. If they know what they are doing, they can simply run the bridges on their servers if they wish.
While each messaging platform has its own unique configuration in Beeper, getting iMessage to work was the most complicated. And the workaround here is a bit tricky, to put it mildly.
Beeper actually ships its users an old jailbroken iPhone (iPhone 4S, because it's cheap) that acts as a bridge. The code installed on the iPhone reads and writes to the database file where your iMessages are stored. The iPhone encrypts the messages with your private key and then sends them via the Beeper network. That means Beeper, the company, can't read your messages, Migicovsky says.
This process allows Android, Windows, and Linux users to use iMessage. But that's not the only way Beeper can make iMessage work. Mac users with an always-on device can choose to install a Beeper app for Mac that acts as a bridge instead.
Migicovsky says he is not afraid of any closure attempts or litigation by Apple.
"What will they do?" He asks rhetorically.
Even if Apple somehow blocked Beeper from providing jailbroken iPhones to users, the company could redirect its customers to acquire their old iPhones from Craigslist. Meanwhile, the software itself is open source and runs on an iPhone in the user's home, so Beeper isn't really "hacking" iMessage itself.
"I think, given the current climate of messaging freedom, I think it would be crazy for Apple to start arguing with their users," adds Migicovsky. Additionally, he notes that the European Commission is working on a GDPR-like draft legislation that requires all companies to open messaging for other platforms.
"When that passes, they legally won't be able to stop people from doing something like Beeper," Migicovsky notes.
Beeper, of course, isn't the first or only startup focused on trying to break through the iMessage block. Other apps have tried this in the past, such as AirMessage or weMessage, for example. However, they only saw limited adoption. And Beeper isn't the only startup trying to centralize chat apps either: Texts.com is developing a similar system.
That said, Beeper signups were larger than Migicovsky expected, he says, even though he declined to share the details. As a result, Beeper is slowly loading users. (For this reason, we weren't able to actually use Beeper. We can't talk about its claims or usability.)
Despite the competition, where Beeper can have an advantage is understanding what makes the user experience great. Pebble, after all, has sold over 2 million watches.
Today, Beeper promises features like search, snooze, archive and reminder and works on MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.
In the long run, Migicovsky envisions a platform that could do more than just send messages and share media, stickers, and emojis, like other chat apps. Instead, the team is building a platform that would allow people to build more tools and apps on top of Beeper, a kind of system like Gmail plugins. For example, there might be tools that would allow users to schedule calendar events from within their chats. Or maybe a tool could help you see all the most recent messages you've received with a particular user on different platforms, like Clearbit.
Migicovsky also declined to detail how the work on Beeper is financed, but when asked if Beeper could be the next step for him - like in a new company to work on - he replied, "maybe".
"I am enjoying my time at YC. Is fantastic. I was simply inspired by all the companies I work with to do this. Part of being VC is talking to all these founders who are building cool stuff and throwing it out. And I got a little jealous, "he admits.