This Week in Startups

Beeper's fight to break Apple's stronghold on messaging with Eric Migicovsky | E1892

Feb 5, 2024

49:57

Snipd AI

Entrepreneur Eric Migicovsky joins the podcast to discuss Beeper's mission of providing a universal chat app and their fight against Apple's control over messaging. They explore Apple's iMessage lock-in, the limitations of SMS, and the challenges of using non-Apple messaging apps. The conversation also touches on the importance of communication and privacy, the push for interoperability, and the impact of startups on ecosystems. They delve into the monopolies and lack of competition in the market, as well as the reluctance of developers to develop for new platforms. Lastly, they discuss Beeper's features and the launch of the Founder Fridays meetup program.

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Beeper aims to create a universal chat app that allows users to communicate with anyone on any chat network, eliminating the need for multiple chat apps.

Apple's control over iMessage creates limitations for users, including difficulties in message encryption, switching to Android, and maintaining compatibility within iPhone user groups.

Deep dives

The Growing Fight Against Apple's App Store Practices

Startups and larger companies are pushing back against Apple's app store rules and fees. The podcast highlights notable examples, including a smartwatch company winning a patent dispute against Apple, Epic Games' CEO challenging app store fees, and Spotify's complaint leading to an EU investigation. The podcast also features an interview with the CEO of Beeper, a startup that faced Apple's restrictions when launching an Android app to improve iMessage functionality. The discussion delves into the broader issue of Apple's control over its ecosystem, the impact on developers, and the need for more open standards and interoperability.

Introduction

4min

Building a Universal Chat App

8min

Challenges of Using Non-Apple Messaging Apps and Introduction to Curatec

3min

Improving Communication and Promoting Privacy and Security

6min

Starting a business with Northwest registered agent and the fight against Apple

2min

Push for Apple Interoperability and Data Protection

11min

Different Timelines and Impact of Startups on Ecosystems

3min

Monopolies, Lack of Competition, and Reluctance to Develop for New Platforms

9min

Discussion on Beeper features and the launch of Founder Fridays meetup program

5min

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Todays show:

Beeper's Eric Migicovsky joins Jason to discuss Beeper's mission of providing a universal chat app (1:32), Apple blocking Beeper Mini after just 3 days (13:35), fighting back against Apple as a startup founder (18:31), and much more!

Timestamps:

(0:00) Beeper’s Eric Migicovsky joins Jason

(1:32) Beeper and its mission of providing a universal chat app

(6:30) How Apple locks people into iMessage and makes it hard to switch from iPhone

(12:11) Curotec - Check out http://www.curotec.com/twist and get $5000 off

(13:35) Beeper Mini's release and Apple blocking Beeper Mini after just 3 days

(18:31) Fighting back against Apple as a startup founder

(21:24) Northwest Registered Agent - Get a 60% discount on your next LLC at - https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com/twist

(22:18) The fight against Apple and thoughts on the outcome

(28:01) Prior experience dealing with platform restrictions at Pebble and the differences in timelines between startups and government regulation

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(36:17) Apple's response to recent court rulings requiring App Store changes