Signal Messaging App Gets Message Requests and Video Calling on Desktop

The signal app is considered one of the most secure messaging apps available to the public on Google Playstore and iOS. The app gained prominence during the recent protests in the United States after the death of George Floyd. It is also the only messaging app on the Google Playstore and iOS app store that has the honor of being the default app used by Edward Snowden. Ever since its inception, the devs for Signal app have been making it more secure and user friendly with each update. Recently they have added a new feature that will let users get message requests from users that are not part of their contact list. The update went live on 12th August and will let users decide if they want to pursue a conversation or not.

Message Requests in the Signal App:

Accept the unexpected: Message requests are now available in Signal.https://t.co/wQB1PPdfxK pic.twitter.com/JPTvNYlrzx

— Signal (@signalapp) August 12, 2020

In a blogpost on Signal's website, we got to know the in's and out's of how this message request system will work. In a nutshell, the new message request system in the Signal app will work almost like on any other app like Facebook Messenger or Whatsapp. If there is someone who has your number or if you and the other person are part of a group and one of you wants to initiate a conversation then they can send a message request. Only after accepting the message request, the conversation can take place. Another cool feature that was missing for a long time from the Signal app was the name in groups. Previously in groups on the signal app, users would appear as numbers but that has been changed. Now users will appear with the name they have set on their signal app profile instead of as a number to give a more personalized feel to the group chats.

Signal Desktop Beta Gets Voice and Video Calling:

A new platform is calling: Help us test one-to-one voice and video conversations on Signal Desktop.

Beta users get an early chance to evaluate call quality and performance while we continue to push forward on upcoming features.https://t.co/S4lbaJuXB2 pic.twitter.com/oEOOR5UBu4

— Signal (@signalapp) August 14, 2020

In the other blog post on Signal's website, we got to know that the desktop version of the messenger is getting a new feature. Voice calling and video calling is now being tested and will be coming on the Signal desktop. Both voice and video calling will be end to end encrypted on the Signal desktop as well.  The signal desktop is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. The blog post also stated that Signal needs beta testers for its new features.