Beeper Mini Revives After Brief Shutdown Attempt by Apple
After a long weekend that saw Apple putting an end to Beeper’s services, the startup behind the new app has announced that it has resumed functioning. However, the company hasn’t disclosed how this has been made possible.
A Brief History of Beeper Mini
Beeper Mini is a new app developed by the team at Beeper, founded by former Pebble smartwatch founder Eric Migicovsky. Initially, the startup was working on an app that aggregated all of a user’s chat apps into a single interface. However, upon discovering new technology that allowed it to reverse-engineer the iMessage protocol, the company set out to build a new app called Beeper Mini.
The Launch and Success of Beeper Mini
Beeper Mini was launched with the aim of bringing iMessage chats to Android users for $1.99 per month. The app quickly gained popularity, climbing into the top 20 in the Play Store’s charts and seeing over 100,000 downloads in its first 48 hours.
Apple Shuts Down Beeper Mini
However, only days after launching, Apple took action against the startup, having found a way to stop Beeper Mini’s messages from being passed from Android phones to its servers. The Cupertino-based tech giant stated that it had disabled the app due to security concerns.
Senator Warren Calls Out Apple for Shutting Down Beeper’s ‘iMessage to Android’ Solution
In response to Apple’s decision, Senator Elizabeth Warren called out the company for shutting down Beeper’s "iMessage to Android" solution. She argued that Apple was stifling competition and limiting user choice.
Beeper Mini is Back in Operation
Despite Apple’s efforts to shut it down, Beeper Mini has managed to find a way back into operation. However, the exact details of how this has been achieved remain unclear.
New Features and Bug Fixes
The updated version of Beeper Mini includes several new features, including chats that will open at the last unread message and an improved video player. However, users have reported encountering bugs when signing in with their Apple ID.
Possible Fix for Beeper’s iMessage Integration
It has been suggested that Beeper’s fix for its iMessage integration may involve using a device "near Los Angeles, CA" to sign in with the user’s Apple ID. This would allow users to access their iMessages on their Android devices.
What’s Next for Beeper Mini?
As Beeper Mini continues to operate despite Apple’s efforts to shut it down, it remains to be seen what the future holds for this innovative app. Will Beeper be able to maintain its momentum and continue to bring iMessage chats to Android users, or will Apple find a way to shut it down once again?
