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> Signal has the reach to get plenty of beta-testers on board, enough to maybe grow it from there. I think we need a reality check here. When I check the Plays
by hiq 6y ago
> Signal has the reach to get plenty of beta-testers on board, enough to maybe grow it from there.
I think we need a reality check here. When I check the Playstore, Signal has 50M downloads. WhatsApp has 2B. Signal is still largely the underdog.
I could definitely imagine a few people using a "Signal Payments" app instead of whatever WA offers. But to actually compete with WhatsApp (which won't create a separate app), you can't afford to split the app in two. The aim is not that HN users are able to transfer money in a privacy-preserving way, it's that everybody can.
- Wxc2jjJmST9XWWL 6y agoIf the illusion is that it's Signal's ultimate goal to dethrone WhatsApp (and Paypal for payments?), I think I'm not the one in need of a reality check (forgive the provocative wording, I have no ill will towards you). Signal's (meaning the app) goal should be to be a long-term, secure, honest alternative for more privacy minded users, no matter their technical expertise? At least that's what I'm thinking.
- hiq 6y ago> Signal's ultimate goal to dethrone WhatsApp I see it more like setting the baseline for the whole ecosystem. If Signal allows me to do X privately, why can't WhatsApp? To have this clout, they need to keep a non negligible market share and remain a threat to other messengers, which you can't do if you miss features your competitors have and that users value.