Beeper Joins Automattic’s Family
In a move that broadens its communication tools, Automattic, the parent company of WordPress, has embraced Beeper into its fold. Beeper is an innovative chat platform that amalgamates various messaging networks like WhatsApp, Facebook, Slack, Instagram, and LinkedIn into a single, streamlined application.
Automattic’s acquisition history showcases a growing interest in the messaging sphere, as evidenced by the purchase of Texts.com for a notable million last year. Now, with the Beeper acquisition, the talent from both chat services is set to unite under the Beeper banner, with Eric Migicovsky, Beeper’s former CEO, steering the helm as head of Messaging.
This strategic move by Automattic aims to curate a diverse portfolio of online functionalities, positioning itself alongside tech giants such as Google and Meta. As per Migicovsky’s announcement, Beeper will slot into Automattic’s ‘Other Bets’ sector, maintaining its autonomy. Users of Beeper currently enjoy the service at no charge, with the option to enhance their experience with fee-based premium features, including the ability to operate multiple accounts from the same platform.
Expanding Accessibility for Beeper
While the specifics of the deal remain under wraps, Matt Mullenweg, Automattic’s co-owner, had previously invested in Beeper, signaling a long-standing interest. Previously, Beeper was in an exclusive testing phase, gathering insights from a strong user base of over a hundred thousand participants. This feedback has been pivotal in refining the app’s technology and usability. In sync with the acquisition, Beeper has now become widely accessible, with the app available for an array of operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, ChromeOS, and Android.
Beeper’s architecture is constructed upon the Matrix protocol, which is both open and decentralized. Despite the current lack of support for Apple’s iMessage, this could potentially shift, considering the ongoing regulatory scrutiny over Apple’s messaging exclusivity. Moreover, with Apple’s impending adoption of the Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol, it could pave the way for more inclusive communication between iOS and Android devices.
Related News: WordPress is currently in discussions with OpenAI and Midjourney to explore potential collaborations involving artificial intelligence.
