Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, acquired the messaging app Beeper for $125 million last year, with plans to merge it with Texts.com, another acquisition in the same space. Following the merger, Beeper has now released a beta version of its redesigned apps for iOS and desktop.

According to a blog post by Beeper, the desktop app was built using the foundation of the Texts.com app, while the iOS app was developed from scratch. The new apps are reportedly faster and more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced battery consumption.

Texts.com founder Kishan Bagaria took to X to announce that while the old app will still be functional, the company will soon provide a seamless migration process to the new set of apps. Currently, the app relies on Beeper Cloud to store messages and credentials for various services, but future updates will see this data stored locally on devices.

Furthermore, the new apps will feature on-device encryption, enhancing user privacy and security, as well as support for multiple accounts linked to the same messaging service. Bagaria also revealed that a future update to the Mac app will enable users to send and receive iMessages. In addition, the company plans to store all user data on-device, rather than relying on Beeper Cloud, and will provide an easy way to migrate to the new apps.

Beeper was founded by Eric Migicovsky, the creator of the Pebble smartwatch and a partner at Y-Combinator. After the acquisition, Migicovsky took on the role of head of messaging, but recently announced his focus on reviving the Pebble brand, marking a new chapter in his entrepreneurial journey.