Beeper Relaunches as On-Device Messaging App With Premium Features
▼ Summary
– Beeper is relaunching with a more secure version that eliminates the need for its cloud services and introduces premium features like AI voice note transcriptions and incognito mode.
– Owned by Automattic after a $125 million acquisition, Beeper now integrates with Texts.com and supports multiple messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and iMessage (Mac only).
– The app aims to simplify managing multiple messaging apps while maintaining security, offering direct on-device connections to preserve end-to-end encryption.
– Beeper offers tiered pricing: a free plan with 5 accounts, a $9.99/month Plus plan for 10 accounts, and a $49.99/month Plus Plus plan for unlimited accounts, targeting businesses and power users.
– Future plans include integrating Automattic’s Clay CRM with Beeper and exploring AI-driven features like message summarization, with a focus on user privacy and data control.
Beeper has transformed into a more secure, on-device messaging platform while introducing premium features designed for power users and businesses. The revamped app, now owned by Automattic after a $125 million acquisition, eliminates reliance on cloud services and directly connects users to their preferred messaging networks. This shift enhances privacy by preserving end-to-end encryption while consolidating chats from WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Telegram, Signal, Slack, and over a dozen other platforms into a single interface.
A key upgrade is the introduction of Beeper Plus, a $9.99/month subscription that expands connectivity from five to ten messaging services. Premium users gain access to AI-powered voice note transcriptions, scheduled messaging, incognito reading mode, and multi-account support. For enterprises, Beeper Plus Plus ($49.99/month) offers unlimited accounts, catering to teams and social media managers. Both tiers include annual billing options at discounted rates.
The relaunch follows Automattic’s integration of Texts.com, another messaging aggregator it acquired for $50 million. Nearly all features from both platforms have been merged, with only minor functionalities pending migration. Future plans include tighter integration with Clay, Automattic’s personal CRM tool, which will leverage Beeper’s data to enhance user interactions.
Privacy remains a cornerstone of Beeper’s redesign. By routing messages directly through users’ devices, bypassing intermediary servers, the app ensures encryption standards match those of native apps. CEO Kishan Bagaria acknowledges potential pushback from messaging providers but notes compliance with EU interoperability regulations could mitigate conflicts. The app also respects revenue models of partner platforms, displaying ads where applicable, such as in Telegram chats.
Looking ahead, Beeper aims to explore AI-driven message summarization through partnerships with services like ChatGPT, though Bagaria emphasizes strict user consent protocols. “We won’t train models on private data,” he asserts, prioritizing transparency with opt-in controls.
With millions of registered users, Beeper is gradually migrating Texts.com holdouts to its on-device model. While minor reliability kinks are being ironed out, the eventual phase-out of Beeper Cloud hinges on seamless performance. For now, the focus remains on refining a unified, privacy-first hub for cross-platform communication.
(Source: TechCrunch)
