The now popular Signal app confirmed that it will soon have new mainstream chat features so that the messaging service could attract more audiences. This means that Signal will start focusing on other things aside from security features.

(Photo : Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 13: A woman wearing a face mask uses a smartphone as she walks through a shopping district at night on February 13, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. At least 219 passengers and crew onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive for COVID-19 making it the biggest centre of the virus outside China. Japan has also so far diagnosed 28 other people with the illness, some of whom are evacuees from Wuhan, and has announced measures to ban entry to foreign travelers from Zhejiang alongside an existing ban on non-Japanese nationals coming from Hubei.

The Verge reported that the new exciting chatting features will arrive on Signal for both Android 5.3.7 and iOS 5.3.1. The app will deliver additional mainstream features such as animated stickers, chat wallpapers, and the latest "About" section in the users' profiles.

On the other hand, the iOS Signal version now handles data more effectively and smoothly, bringing it closer to the Android app version. Previously, Telegram, Signal, and other messaging apps, that can replace WhatsApp, have seen a surge in growth.

This is because users are now looking for better alternatives to WhatsApp since the Facebook-owned application changed its user data sharing policy.

Signal's new mainstream chat features

Signal teased the latest features by posting a tweet using its official account.

"Here's a sneak peek at some new Signal features that will start rolling out in a few days," said the app via its official Twitter account.

"Chat wallpapers! About field for your Signal profile, Animated stickers. For iOS: Media auto-download settings and full-screen profile photos (to match Android)," added the company.

(Photo : Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 13: A man wearing a face mask uses a smartphone as he walks on a bridge at night on February 13, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. At least 219 passengers and crew onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive for COVID-19 making it the biggest centre of the virus outside China. Japan has also so far diagnosed 28 other people with the illness, some of whom are evacuees from Wuhan, and has announced measures to ban entry to foreign travelers from Zhejiang alongside an existing ban on non-Japanese nationals coming from Hubei.

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These new features were already announced on Jan. 11. Sources confirmed that the app decided to roll out the beta version for Android last week of Friday, Jan. 22.

On the other hand, iPhone users will see a new setting that could help them lower data usage during phone calls. This option automatically pauses attachment downloads when the user is having a call. The app is also expected to have image compression among other enhancements.

Why Signal is so popular?

The messaging app became popular after WhatsApp changed its user data sharing policy and when Elon Musk tweeted that the public should use Signal instead of WhatsApp. Aside from the promotion and bad image of its competitor, Signal also offers a security feature called E2E encryption or end-to-end encryption. This means that the app's developers and other employees will not see the conversation of the sender and receiver.

For more news updates about Signal and other popular messaging services, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

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Written by: Giuliano de Leon.