Entry without authorization is prohibited. This sounds a bit like the message received by Beeper Mini, an Android app that just suffered the wrath of Apple. Announced in early December, the application promises to be able to send messages from an Android device to iMessage, thus appearing in the form of a blue bubble, not green. Without this app, Android users can only send simple SMS messages to an iPhone (excluding third-party messaging apps).
For Android users, the blue bubble sometimes allows them to stop being “excluded” by iPhone owners by posing as one of theirs. We know that this external sign has often been perceived, especially among teenagers, as socially discriminatory and a deal breaker. choice when purchasing an Apple smartphone more than any other brand with the competing operating system.
It was not in vain that Google had multiplied campaigns to encourage Apple to switch to RCS, an equivalent and enriched messaging system compared to SMS.
Apple ready for RCS, but at its own pace
Apple shortly announced the integration of the RCS protocol into its devices, mainly under pressure from the EU. But this will not be achieved by forcing things or taking devious paths. This was made clear by the American giant to Beeper Mini, which boasted of being able to work with the iMessage platform and offering a conversation with an iPhone user in blue bubbles, also with all the usual attributes: cancellation of sending, editing, discussion. groups, reading receipts, images, videos, reactions, etc.
This was not enough to convince Tim Cook’s company, which blocked the application on Friday, December 8, three days after its launch, and prevented any access to iMessage. “We have taken steps to protect our users by blocking techniques that exploit fake credentials to access iMessage,” Apple told The Verge, also promising to counter any changes made by Beeper.
Car Beeper Mini announced at the same time on Twitter (X) that it was working to resolve the issue. And the app has even received support from Senator Elizabeth Warren, who acknowledges that “green bubbles are less secure” and questions why Apple is blocking an app that allows Android users to exchange with iMessage users. She before concluding: “The leaders of big technology companies protect their profits by crushing their competitors.”
Beeper Mini is a paid application ($1.99) and this is perhaps also one of the points that Apple does not like. Its creators ensure that it respects all user security guarantees, for the encryption of exchanges and their confidentiality.
For a long time, attempts at apps that promised to integrate iMessage with Android were, in fact, just backdoor means by creators who sent messages through servers installed on Mac minis to create the illusion. Beeper said he was willing to share the app’s source code with Apple to ensure its good faith and safe intentions.
Source: BFM TV
