FireChat introduces fixed usernames for chat app

Clever messaging app FireChat is turning into a legitimate messaging app with the recent update it introduced—users will now get fixed usernames on the service. For those unfamiliar with the app, it lets you talk to other people on your mobile phone without the use of reception. The app makes use of iPhones and Androids as nodes to create a localized mini-internet or mesh networks. It works outside of traditional grids and are seen to be helpful in emergency situations when lines are down, places with no internet or cell infrastructure yet, or even in large festivals when reception is hard to come by. The update means people can’t impersonate another person again and it would be easier to continue communications.

FireChat | Source: GigaOm

BlackBerry plans to release ultra-secure BBM to Android and iOS this year

BlackBerry wants to offer business users on Android and iOS with an even more secure messaging service before the year ends. BlackBerry exec Sunil Lalwani told The Hindustan Times that the company will begin offering BlackBerry Messenger Protected on both platforms for an annual fee of US$30 per device. BBM Protected was initially launched for users with BBOS devices running on BES 5 and BB10 users with gold licenses on BES10 that run on EEM-regulated Work Space mode only.

The messaging service is just like BBM but adds a latter of encryption that is shared exclusively by the sender and the recipient. It has a new random symmetric key for message encryption that means if one of your encryption keys gets compromised it won’t expose all your messages.

Source: BGR

Pinterest gets private messaging feature

Pinterest is looking to keep its users engaged in the site with a new private messaging feature integrated into the service. To access private messaging on Pinterest, users have to start a conversation by sending a Pin to another user that also comes with a message. You can then continue your conversation without using Pins after that. It is also possible to send group messages this way.

Pinterest is hoping this would help users plan events or other things in the future. “This is different from other messaging platforms because conversations are around a Pin and are focused on planning something for the future,” a spokesperson wrote in an email to press. It doesn’t really matter how you plan on using this feature but it would seem Pinterest just wants to make sure you stay engaged on their platform longer.

Source: Re/code

BlackBerry Messenger now available for Windows Phone

BlackBerry just announced a collaboration with Microsoft to bring BBM to Windows Phone 8 and higher. This makes BBM available on all major mobile operating systems.

“We are intent on bringing the most popular application experiences to Windows Phone, and with BBM, we are pleased to bring many of its top features to the Windows Phone platform,” said Bryan Biniak, Vice President and General Manager, Developer Experience, Microsoft. “BBM on Windows Phone brings our customers the secure, easy-to-use messaging experience they demand, and we expect that new features will roll out in the months to come.” Hit jump for all the details.

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