Over the next few days Open Whisper Systems, the developer of TextSecure and Redphone, will be rolling out Signal which combines the secure chat feature of the former and secure call feature of the latter into one single application.
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It actually represents the coming together of two of the company’s separate pre-existing apps: TextSecure and RedPhone.
Secure calls: Calls made and received in the app are encrypted. The new Signal app doesn’t introduce new functionality, but it does unify the experience into a reliable, easy-to-use platform that makes calling and texting as simple as using “normal” phone dialers and texting apps. Checking out TextSecure on Google Play Store, you will be redirected automatically to Signal.
The result is one almighty encrypted communications app. So almighty, in fact, that it is the messaging app of choice for Edward Snowden himself.
The Signal app lets users send and receive encrypted text, video and photo messages at no extra cost, as well as make and receive secure calls.
Simple: There’s no need for logins, usernames or pins, because the app uses your phone number and address book. End-to-end encryption is promised so nobody else can read your messages to your contact.
Free: The app is free, has no adverts and doesn’t cost anything to use.
Meanwhile, Android users with RedPhone installed will be prompted to install Signal instead.
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Kept afloat by community donations and grants, Signal for iOS and Android is free and does not contain ads. “Everything in Signal is always end-to-end encrypted and painstakingly engineered to keep your communication safe”.
