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The Universal Communication Bus
Matrix actually caught my attention because it solves the exact problems that I outlined above, without exacerbating everything by creating yet another chat network. See, the Matrix folks know their XKCD. Instead of creating a new siloed chat app, they enabled developers to write ‘bridges’ between Matrix and other chat networks, like Whatsapp, Tele... See more
Eric Migicovsky • The Universal Communication Bus
Known caveat: sometimes the medium is the message. A postcard is noticeably more personal than an email, a phone call conveys more emotion than a text, an Instagram message is more friendly than a Linkedin message. TBD how this is works out if all chats are merged into one.
Eric Migicovsky • The Universal Communication Bus
There is a dearth of innovation in chat . It’s all weighed down by network effects. If you’re a developer, not only do you have to create your cool new feature (see Houseparty or Squadapp), you also need to bootstrap a network so that your users have friends to chat with.
Eric Migicovsky • The Universal Communication Bus
Keeping track of which networks are friends are on is a communication tax. It’s extra cognitive load on simple stuff, like remembering where my friend sent me the name of the restaurant, or thinking ‘Should I send the photo I took to her via Whatsapp, iMessage or Instagram?’
Eric Migicovsky • The Universal Communication Bus
How come I can’t search across all my chat networks instantly?
Why don’t my ‘work’ WhatsApp notifications switch off after 6pm?
Why is there still a risk of losing message history when I switch phones?
How many tabs do I need to have open on my laptop at once just to stay in touch with my friends?
Why can’t I reply by voice to a text from my wife on my... See more
Eric Migicovsky • The Universal Communication Bus
Most new chat apps die before they build a network. And since all the major networks are closed-source and not federated, it’s hard to hack on top of an existing network and add in just one or two new features. It’s sad that there is nothing like Gmail plugins for WhatsApp. Even Signal, an open-source chat app, enforces a ‘no-federation’ rule — whi... See more
Eric Migicovsky • The Universal Communication Bus
Why mainstream, corporate run chat apps don’t allow for full customised experiences.
Chat is only the latest incarnation of human communication.
Eric Migicovsky • The Universal Communication Bus
My pet theory around why business is gets done so much faster in China: because there is only one channel for everything — WeChat. No confusion about how to get in contact with someone. One scrollback to WeChat makes it easy to introduce friends to each other. Voice and video calls just work. And because the default is chat, not email, everyone sen... See more
Eric Migicovsky • The Universal Communication Bus
A universal communication bus in theory does sound like the answer to solving major productivity and workflow gaps. Is this true for WeChat’s influence in China?
Escape Sauron’s eye .