Viber Updates iOS App with Redesigned User Interface, Multiple Media Sharing

So Viber managed to update its app to match iOS 7, only one month (and a few days) from iOS 8 being announced :rolleyes:

With this and 1Password, what takes so long to do an iOS 7 update?

With this and 1Password, what takes so long to do an iOS 7 update?

Sometime i dont know what these developers do whole day, i'm sure app like Viber will not take 7-8 months just to update the UI.

Have either one of you done any programming? If yes, have you ever done any design work? If yes, have you done it on an existing app?

It is far easier to make a brand new iOS 7 app than it is to throw out an existing custom design, recode the interface to match iOS 7 and then ensure no regressions are created. You can't just swap it out, you have to code the new interface in.

It doesn't take days, it takes many months to do it properly.

Ok got it. So can I use Viber/Whatsapp even if the person I'm sending a text to doesn't have it. When I receive a text, does it come through the app or still through iMessage? Will I get 2 texts of the same message (one for iMessage, one for Whatsapp)

Apps like Viber/WhatsApp require the other person to have the app installed as well. All chat messages go through internet eliminating the need to have a text/SMS plan. Oh, and all messages are received/sent through the app. Built-in messaging app won't be used.

Also, "iMessage" is a service. Messages in the app you are using. Your texts to non-Apple users are reaching as a SMS and not as an "iMessage".

Can someone fill me in on what's the big deal with apps like this and Whatsapp? I know 0 people who use it and I'm still on iMessage. What am I missing?

iMessage only works between Apple devices. Viber/WhatsApp works for all devices. If everyone you communicate with has Apple devices then you are not missing out on anything.

Can someone fill me in on what's the big deal with apps like this and Whatsapp? I know 0 people who use it and I'm still on iMessage. What am I missing?

Simple, you are missing people that don’t have iPhones.

With this and 1Password, what takes so long to do an iOS 7 update?

I’ve heard from one developer that it’s not as straightforward as people think it is, especially if you intend to support older versions of iOS as well. Not to mention that it’s still a bit of a challenge to make a good flat design. I’ve seen lots of apps who just don’t do it good enough. It’s an investment nonetheless and Viber was working just fine.

Viber and WhatsApp are FAR better at fun chat than iMessage, which is completely boring when it comes to chat, not to mention the cross-platform support.

I use all three on a near-daily basis... iMessage, Viber and WhatApp. I never understood the draw of WhatsApp (or Viber) until I started using them, and now I can't drop them. Just too good for messaging.

Each has its strengths. Viber is my favourite with its support for stickers and VoIP voice calls. Viber also has a doodling feature and occasionally has treats like animated messages where an animated character of your choice lip-syncs to your own words. It's a lot of fun. WhatApp's recorded voice messaging feature works better than Viber (haven't tried this new version yet), and doesn't have as many fun features. iMessages is boring next to these two.

So, for plain texting, all three are identical, except Viber has its own emoticons which are better than the standard run-of-the-mill emoticons. Sadly, it doesn't support standard emoticons for some reason. To have truly entertaining chats, Viber is king.

Personally I rate the content of the messages far more than the ability to send stickers and have animated characters lip sync what I say…

Can someone fill me in on what's the big deal with apps like this and Whatsapp? I know 0 people who use it and I'm still on iMessage. What am I missing?

Viber and WhatsApp are FAR better at fun chat than iMessage, which is completely boring when it comes to chat, not to mention the cross-platform support.

I use all three on a near-daily basis... iMessage, Viber and WhatApp. I never understood the draw of WhatsApp (or Viber) until I started using them, and now I can't drop them. Just too good for messaging.

Each has its strengths. Viber is my favourite with its support for stickers and VoIP voice calls. Viber also has a doodling feature and occasionally has treats like animated messages where an animated character of your choice lip-syncs to your own words. It's a lot of fun. WhatApp's recorded voice messaging feature works better than Viber (haven't tried this new version yet), and doesn't have as many fun features. iMessages is boring next to these two.

So, for plain texting, all three are identical, except Viber has its own emoticons which are better than the standard run-of-the-mill emoticons. Sadly, it doesn't support standard emoticons for some reason. To have truly entertaining chats, Viber is king.

Can someone fill me in on what's the big deal with apps like this and Whatsapp? I know 0 people who use it and I'm still on iMessage. What am I missing?