WhatsApp alternative: switch due to terms and conditions, but where to?

15 January 2021 15 January 2021 / From Johannes Domke / Apps / 7 comments

Chapter in this post:

1 WhatsApp alternative signal at a glance
2 information on the WhatsApp alternative Telegram
3 Threema as a paid WhatsApp alternative
4 Similar posts

Anyone who still uses WhatsApp, one of the messenger apps from the Facebook group, is currently informed of the new terms and conditions. These come into force on February 8, 2021 and enable extensive data transfer. This connects WhatsApp with the platforms Facebook and Instagram. An evaluation of the data by third parties, e.g. B. for individualized advertising is also conceivable. No wonder that many WhatsApp users are deleting the app and looking for an alternative. But what WhatsApp alternatives are there? Here you can find some information about Signal, Telegram and Threema.

Chatting, communicating in groups, making calls and sending files - all of this works without WhatsApp. Here you can find information about the WhatsApp alternatives Signal, Telegram and Threema for iOS and Android.

Sir Apfelot recommendation: Clean up your Mac hard drive with CleanMyMac

WhatsApp alternative signal at a glance

Signal is an open source messenger that uses end-to-end encryption. In various sources compared to Signal or messenger apps, it is said again and again: "Even Edward Snowden recommends this app". Well, if that's the case ... In Signal, both individual dialogues and group chats can be realized. Calls, telephone and video conferences are also possible. Last but not least, files of various types and sizes can be sent. The Signal download for iOS and Android is free and possible from the official stores:

Signal in the Apple App Store: Have a look here
Signal in the Google Play Store: Have a look here

Information about the WhatsApp alternative Telegram

The Russian messenger Telegram has fallen into disrepute not least because of various channels and groups that had to do with lateral thinkers, Reich citizens, corona deniers and the like. Apart from that, however, it is an app with various exchange options - and even a desktop solution for macOS and Windows. One-on-one chats are just as possible as group chats. Files can be sent as well as (your own) stickers, GIF animations and so on. Aside from Schwurbler channels, Telegram can pass as a WhatsApp alternative. You can find the Telegram download for free in the official stores:

Telegram in the Apple App Store: Have a look here
Telegram in the Google Play Store: Have a look here

Threema as a paid WhatsApp alternative

Threema is an app from Switzerland and, like the aforementioned apps, focuses on "security and privacy" according to the developers. The software costs 3,99 euros for both iOS on the iPhone and for the Android smartphone. Individual chats and groups are also possible here. Photos can also be individually shared for sharing. The app does not have full access to the device's photo album. In addition to text chats, calls, video calls, surveys and the like are also possible. You can also find the Threema download in the official stores:

Threema in the Apple App Store: Have a look here
Threema in the Google Play Store: Have a look here

Johannes Domke

After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.

Did you like the article and did the instructions on the blog help you? Then I would be happy if you the blog via a Steady Membership or at Patreon would support.

7 Responses to "WhatsApp alternative: switch because of terms and conditions, but where to?"

toniB
January 15, 2021 at 19:13 am

I've been using Signal for more than a year - 3-5 of my contacts have recently been added every day
Apparently there are so many new users around the world that the servers are sometimes overloaded

Reply
Renato
January 15, 2021 at 21:46 am

I've had Threema for a few years - and the environment is also growing.
I like the Swiss base very much: the servers are also there, and the legendary Swiss discretion is already known from the financial world ... ????

It should be added that Threema of course only communicates end2end encrypted and is now also completely open source, and, because it does not come from the USA, does not have to deliver any keys to the NSA ... (I have no idea whether and how Signal that can evade?!?)

In the meantime, various quarters have warned against Telegram; not least because it is totally opaque where the servers are located and the encryption of messages is possible, but well hidden ...

Threemas 4 € should not be an issue in my opinion; They can also be put into perspective via the (Apple) family share ...

In the end, the "critical mass" will decide who has what it takes to knock WhatsApp off the throne, and whether at all ... - I would be happy if it was Threema ???? - at least in Europe!

Reply
1. Jen Kleinholz
  January 15, 2021 at 21:50 am
  
  Hello Renato! Yes, I also like Threema the most. Above all, the fact that they made their system open source shows me that they have no evil on their mind. Unfortunately, too many of my contacts still have WhatsApp, but maybe we'll all change that at the end of January and kick the Zuckerberg spy messenger from our smartphones. ????
  
  Reply
Renato
January 16, 2021 at 13:07 am

Hi Jens,

yes, that would be nice, and for me "old man" certainly a lot easier, since I'm not also on FB and Insta ... ????. But I am also a realist: WhatsApp will (unfortunately) not be able to do without WhatsApp completely so quickly without disconnecting from a communication channel that is still relevant for a long time - and in pandemic times even "vital" communication channel ... I am pragmatic and baW will inevitably go two ways and now motivate my environment more to switch ... ???? and thus support a rather “creeping” transition process.

Everyone participates - together we can do it ???? !!

The less data is successively fed into the Zuckerberg channels, the less data he can "misuse"; I consider "ZERO" to be an illusion in the short / medium term ...

Reply
1. Jen Kleinholz
  January 17, 2021 at 11:36 am
  
  The Zuckerberg is so unsympathetic to me. Anyone who "fools" their users so often should get the bill for it at some point.
  
  Reply
Renato
January 22, 2021 at 23:03 am

??

Reply
Free messengers
February 13, 2022 at 09:28 am

In addition to alternatives that are proprietary (closed/company property) like WhatsApp, there is also the group of provider-independent messengers. You can find an overview of this:
https://www.freie-messenger.de/systemvergleich

And whenever the argument "safety" comes up, it's worth asking what is actually meant by that...
https://www.freie-messenger.de/begriffe/pseudosicherheit

Also interesting:
https://www.freie-messenger.de/warumnicht

Reply

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Self-adhesive patches or bandages - my pick of the week
This time I have another tip that has nothing to do with Apple. I just take the liberty and use it Pick of the week for such recommendations.
Adhesive patches instead of sticky patches
But enough of the preamble: It's about self-adhesive patches that do not require any glue at all. In the doctor's office, things seem to go under the term "adhesive bandage". I discovered these things when I was looking for band aids on Amazon... Actually I wanted to have a piece of this kind where you can cut off band aids as big as you need them. But in the end I ordered something else, namely a plaster on a roll that sticks to itself and does not require any glue at all. However, the adhesive bandages have a few advantages and disadvantages, which I would like to mention here.
Health Press's self-adhesive patches are my pick of the week - and no, they didn't pay me anything... I just find them handy (Photos: Sir Apfelot).

Benefits
- You can make the patch as long as you need it and it is more adjustable than sticky patches.
- The patch has no areas that are only sticky and not for covering wounds.
- It's soft, yet it sticks to itself. So you don't have a rough area like you have with Velcro.
- It comes off the skin easily because it only sticks to itself and not to the skin. Therefore it is great for children.
- It can withstand hand washing (but it gets wet underneath).
- It lets more air through (if you just wrap it around once) than a regular patch.
Disadvantages
- You can't stick it on one area, it always has to be wrapped around something so that it gets caught by the pull on the corresponding part of the body. To attach such a patch to the chest, for example, you would have to wrap it around the chest once.
- Even though the product description says "waterproof", it doesn't absorb water like normal fabric because it has a waxed feel and repels water a little.
- The fabric is not very thick. If you put iodine on it, you have to wrap a few layers to keep it from going through.
- Once the plaster has been removed, it no longer sticks properly and you have to take a new one.
- If a wound is to be covered as "tightly" as possible, you may have to put something underneath it - but it will never be airtight or watertight.
I ordered the patches in 2,5 cm and 5 cm widths – I haven't used the 5 cm version yet, but I'm sure that will come.

Two widths available
The adhesive bandages I got are from Health Press. There is one 2,5 cm and one 5,0 cm wide, each with a length of 4,5 meters. Both are listed here:
- Health Press adhesive plasters 2,5 cm x 4,5 m (8 rolls)
- Health Press adhesive plasters 5,0 cm x 4,5 m (8 rolls)
5,00 EUR
Finger plaster self-adhesive - 8x plaster roll (2,5cm x 4,5m) - bandage self-adhesive -...

👍 FINGERPADS THAT CONVINCES: The fingertape is self-adhesive and can therefore be quickly removed in emergencies...
🙅‍♂️NO MORE TEARS WHEN PULLING OFF: The original Health Press finger plaster can be compared to ...
👨‍🔬 MEDICALLY CERTIFIED: The medically certified fixing bandage from Health Press was tested by DERMATEST ...
14,99 EUR −5,00 EUR 9,99 EUR
Buy it at Amazon Price includes VAT, plus shipping costs (updated: 26.03.2023 at 23: 41 clock)
Self-adhesive dressing - 8x plaster roll (5,0cm x 4,5m) - Original Health Press dressing material...

👍 SELF-ADHESIVE EFFECT: The fixing bandage is self-adhesive and easy to attach, so you can also ...
😇 PULL OFF PAINLESS: The original Health Press adhesive bandage can not only be removed painlessly, but ...
👨‍🔬 DERMATOLOGICALLY TESTED: The elastic bandage from Health Press is medically certified and has been ...
14,99 EUR
Buy it at Amazon Price includes VAT, plus shipping costs (updated: 26.03.2023 at 23: 41 clock)
I like to use these band-aids when I've torn my cuticles somewhere on a finger and it keeps getting stuck when you put your hands in your pockets. The plasters protect the areas well and they are not bulky. And you can make them just as long as you need them. Therefore, the price per plaster is not as high as with the sets that you usually get and from which you always need exactly the size that is currently used up.
I didn't have a wound, but I wrapped my finger for you - this is what the adhesive plaster looks like.

Summary
I hope you can do something with the recommendation and maybe stick – sorry, “stick” – things will soon also stick to your fingers, feet, arms and legs. For earlobes, forehead and buttocks they are not so good to use. 😊
Outlook for iOS 17: updates, bug fixes and wish list functions
Next June we will be part of the WWDC23 various new operating systems from Apple. Among them will be iOS 17 for the iPhone. However, this should be less extensive than iOS 16 last year. If this system brought new features such as customizable lock screens, background removal in photos, multi-stop routes in the Maps app, new security settings and the like, iOS 17 should primarily be an update with bug fixes and performance increases. Errors of the ambitious predecessor should be ironed out. At the same time, there should be a few small innovations that are on the wish list of users.
The new iOS 17 is said to have been planned for a while as a pure "Tuneup Release" for iOS 16. However, a few new functions are now interspersed, which are probably frequently addressed by users. There shouldn't be any major innovations like iOS 16.

iOS 17 is for the iPhone like Mac OS X 10.6 is for the Mac
For anyone who kept their Mac up to date in the 2000s, the comparison will certainly make sense: Apple released Mac OS X 2007 Leopard in 10.5. This introduced Boot Camp, Time Machine backups, the animated 3D Dock, Safari 3 and many other innovations. For the next two years, Apple was busy polishing it all up. And so, in 2009, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard came out—it had fewer major innovations, but it used less disk space and memory. Little extras included iCal support and QuickTime Player X (more details here). In 2022, iOS 16 brought major changes to the iPhone. And it has also been shown that some things still need fine-tuning. iOS 17 is to be presented as an update system in June 2023 and then published in autumn. According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, Apple discussed the term "Tuneup Release" because the operating system's performance is to be significantly increased. However, this was abandoned because it was decided to add a few new functions. This was based on the most frequently expressed wishes of the users. The system will probably be officially released with the release of the iPhone 15 series in September 2023.
Topic Compatibility: These iPhone models run iOS 16
Apple Mixed Reality Headset: Presentation rehearsed in front of the top executives
Last week it was at Apple Park's Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino a gathering of the company's top 100 executives. This was before their annual trip to a resort in Carmel Valley, California. Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman reports this in his current "Power On" newsletter. The meeting was intended to swear the senior Apple people on the upcoming release of the mixed reality headset. However, it should not have brought any exuberant hype, but also and above all a realistic view of the new Apple platform and the market.
Last week there were reportedly presentations and demonstrations of Apple's mixed reality headset in front of the company's top 100 executives. Their manner indicate an early presentation before the public.

The last Fight Club demo before launch?
Demonstrating Apple's mixed reality headset to the company's top 100 executives is said to have been no one-off thing. Since 2018, there has been an annual meeting of this kind, at which the current status of the headset is presented. These meetings, with demonstrations of the latest technology, shall be called the "Fight Club" demo - because the first rule of Fight Club is don't talk (publicly) about Fight Club. But this secrecy does not seem to be necessary for much longer. The Steve Jobs Theater as this year's meeting place as well as highly polished presentations during the event point to a timely launch. Mark Gurman writes in his newsletter that this year's demonstrations of the MR headset at Apple were more exciting and glamorous than previous years. The company should probably be prepared for a new chapter here. And now as quickly as possible.
Apple's new big platform: headsets for VR and AR
The trade press expects the public presentation in June, more precisely for the openingKeynote the WWDC23. You can read more about this here: When does WWDC23 take place and what will be presented? The headset, which can be used for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), is intended to become Apple's new major platform, and thus a new sales market alongside Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. The market launch could be similar to the watch. It might get off to a rocky start, but only over time would broader interest and system improvements and third-party apps result in a viable product. Accordingly, “only” one million units are to be sold in the first year, at around $3.000 each.
A weak market that still needs to be expanded
Apple is venturing into unsafe territory with the headset. Because from the Mac to the iPhone to the Apple Watch, earlier devices consisted of improvements to already known offers. With the Apple Watch, potential users had to be explained a bit more about the meaning of a rather expensive smartwatch – but thanks to the numerous health features, useful third-party apps and Apple's large fitness ecosystem, this has been successful. The new MR headset has to prove itself in a similar way. Here you can't build on the experience of cheaper products with many (like the watch with other fitness watches). Here a market has to be pushed that is still developing for larger sales. It takes strong reasons why people should want an Apple headset. In addition to gaming and some health and research areas, something more is needed - something for everyday life.
The current status: criticism of hardware and software
The Apple MR headset will certainly be technically at a high level. The screen quality, eye and hand tracking and many other expected features will certainly not be bad either. Nevertheless, the possible innovations are overshadowed by rather negative impressions in advance. At the above-mentioned meeting last week, the following combination is said to have been viewed rather critically: a price of $3.000, no really outstanding app, an external battery that has to be replaced or charged every few hours, and a design that is probably from was found uncomfortable by some testers. Overall not too good starting conditions, but room for improvement. That at least gives hope for the next versions.
Conclusion: Not a sprint, but a marathon
The Apple Watch was not a complete success at first either. It started with a confusing interface, with rather mediocre apps, an average processor and no fixed area of application. But over time, with tech improvements, a greater focus on fitness and health, and better apps, the watch became a hit. A similar marathon (with the explanation of the necessity of the device as an extra mile) must also be put down by Apple's MR headset. Unless a niche market emerges that only Apple can play, it will take some time before the headset finds a permanent place in Apple's profit mix alongside the iPhone, Mac, iPad, watch and services. What do you say to that? Please leave a comment!
Podcast episode #001 – week 12/2023
Here you can find episode #001 of the Sir Apfelot newsreel podcast, which covers the news of calendar week 12/2023. This time it's about apps, game controllers, new versions of iOS and watchOS, AI tools, mass layoffs, a privacy gap in Windows and Android and much more. We hope you enjoy the new episode and look forward to your comments!

Podcast episode content

New blog posts
News in the newsreel blog post
- AI tools at Google, Microsoft, Opera and Adobe
- AI image generation in Bing
- Project Firefly by Adobe
- Layoffs at Amazon
- Privacy issues with screenshots from Google Pixel smartphones and Windows 10 and 11 PCs
- Media library merging for public broadcasters
- alternative app store for Xbox games from Microsoft
- Apple patent on NFC watch straps
- Apple Music makes playlists disappear and they appear on other users
- iOS 16.4 and watchOS 9.4
- Bye Bye
- read all this news with sources in the weekly newsreel KW 12/2023
Unfortunately, the first episode is not yet available on Apple Podcasts, but you can find it on Amazon Music, Spotify and a few other podcast directories. I'll add the link to Apple Podcasts here once we're up there and live.
Sir Apfelot newsreel as a podcast – now online!
For years I've listened to many podcasts that deal with Apple Stuff, new discoveries in science, or just everyday problems in life. I'm just a big fan of this medium. If you don't want to read long now, you can here directly to the podcast disappear, but of course I still have a little story for you, why I like podcasts and how the Sir Apfelot Podcast came about.

That's why I love podcasts
You are not fixed in time. You can listen when you like and the missed programs are not lost, but accumulate until another long drive is due. And with some podcasts I actually feel like the people there are old friends because I've been listening to them for years. That's why I toyed with the idea of doing a podcast for a long time. But somehow I couldn't think of the right topic and format.
The weekly news as a podcast
A few days ago it was time again that I pondered what could be packaged as a podcast. And that's when it occurred to me that the Sir Apfelot newsreel is actually a good place to start. Johannes collects a few exciting topics for the blog post every week anyway and I have already received feedback from many listeners that they look forward to the newsletter and the newsreel every Friday - so why not put everything together in a podcast?
The cover for the newsreel podcast was made by Miss Apfelot - a big thank you for that!
My Miss Apfelot has a cover (with canva) created and I've been using the software Hindenburg and the Audio Technica AT2020USB+ spoken into the newsreel prepared by Johannes. After I only fixed the problems with the audio dropouts on the first day, the podcast was finished on the second day. By the way, I have the background music with me pond5 bought. There is a huge selection of music for podcasts that is also affordable. The portal is so good that I will make an extra post about it... You can see the end result on the Letscast.fm podcast page. I'm still waiting for Apple Podcasts to be activated. But I hope that by the second edition of the newsreel podcast we'll have made it.
I do the podcast hosting with Letscast.fm – it costs a few euros a month, but the administration there is very beginner-friendly.

Podcast player feed URL
If you like podcasts, I would be happy if you listen and maybe leave a subscription. The URL with the RSS feed to add to your favorite podcast player is this: https://letscast.fm/podcasts/sir-apfelot-wochenschau-fa5b4a33/feed Despite the initial difficulties, I enjoyed podcasting and I would like to expand it further to maybe produce interviews or longer podcasts. If you have comments, praise or criticism, tips and ideas for expanding the podcast, please leave them in the comments. But now off to the podcast and listen to the first newsreel!

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WhatsApp alternative: switch due to terms and conditions, but where to?

WhatsApp alternative signal at a glance

Information about the WhatsApp alternative Telegram

Threema as a paid WhatsApp alternative

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