WordPress.com owner Automattic just acquired Beeper, the messaging app that lets you access services like iMessage, WhatsApp, and Signal from a single platform. This $125 million deal marks Automattic’s second foray into messaging after buying Texts.com last year.
Merging Teams and Technologies:
Beeper’s team of 25 will join Texts.com’s 15 to create a unified messaging experience. The plan is to combine the strengths of both apps, eventually migrating everything to Beeper’s platform. Beeper founder Eric Migicovsky will lead the messaging efforts at Automattic.
The Open-Source Future of Messaging:
This move signals Automattic’s belief in an open-source future for messaging, free from the constraints of proprietary platforms like iMessage and WhatsApp. Beeper’s eventual goal is to transition users to its own chat protocol based on Matrix, an open-source alternative similar to XMPP.
Why the Acquisition?
For Beeper, the acquisition provides the financial backing needed to continue development. Running a messaging app with a focus on open-source is expensive, and Automattic’s resources will be crucial.
Beeper on Android Gets a Revamp:
With the acquisition news, Beeper is also launching its revamped Android app out of beta. This new version boasts a fresh design, faster performance, and the start of end-to-end encryption with Signal, soon to be followed by WhatsApp and others. Importantly, Beeper is no longer pursuing a dedicated iMessage app for Android due to Apple’s restrictions.
Open to All:
The waitlist for Beeper is over! Anyone can now download the app and join the existing user base of over 115,000. The app is available on Android, iPhone, iPad, and desktop.
Looking Ahead:
The Beeper team is working on bringing feature parity across all platforms and plans to integrate additional services like Google Voice and Snapchat. They’ll also leverage Matrix’s open-source nature to allow third-party developers to build on top of Beeper.
Monetization on the Horizon:
Beeper plans to introduce a premium subscription tier in the future, likely priced around a few dollars per month.
The Future of Messaging is Unified and Open:
This acquisition highlights a growing movement towards open-source, cross-platform messaging solutions. With Automattic’s backing, Beeper is well-positioned to be a leader in this space.
