DeltaTouch is a messaging application that works by email
Few days ago the launch of the first version of the instant messaging app, «DeltaTouch» which is targeted for the Ubuntu Touch platform and which uses Delta Chat technology to use email as a means of transport instead of its own servers (chat-over-email, a specialized mail client that works as a messenger).
Delta Chat is a new chat application that sends messages through emails, encrypted if possible, with Autocrypt and besides that, the user does not have to register anywhere, just use the existing Delta Chat account
Main features of DeltaTouch
Of the features that stand out from DeltaTouch, it is noted that it focused on those of official clients and implementing them one by one:
- set up accounts by
- login with username/password
- configure second device via QR code
- import backup
- scan the invitation QR code
- Multi-account support
- Create and manage groups and verified groups
- Pin, archive, mute chats
- Search in chats
- Rudimentary image viewer
- Rudimentary audio/voice prompt player
- Record voice messages, play and confirm before sending
- export backup
- Most settings like in official clients (show classic emails, auto download size, etc.)
- Ability to change audio settings – so you can choose ringtones and volume for audio notifications and messages
- run at startup: so you don't have to start Delta Chat manually
- vibration control: for notifications
As for the features not yet implemented: HTML messages, Webxdc, database encryption, connection status display, recently read message indicator, chat cleanup, works as a primary device to connect secondary ones.
It is mentioned that system notifications are possible, but they require the user to disable background sleep and the app to run in the background. I haven't methodically tested how the latter affects battery life, but my first impression is that it doesn't drain the battery very much.
It is worth mentioning that DeltaTouch developers have attempted to recreate the functionality of the official Delta Chat client developed for Android platform. Not all planned features have been implemented yet, but the basic functionality is already available to work with.
For example, the program allows you to set up an account via QR code, scan QR invitations, import/export backups, work with multiple accounts, create groups, pin and archive chats, search chats, built-in image viewer and sound player, send voice messages.
As for Delta Chat technology, it allows you to work through almost any mail server that supports both SMTP and IMAP (Push-IMAP is used to quickly determine the arrival of new messages), rather than implementing separate servers. Encryption is compatible with OpenPGP and the Autocrypt standard for easy automatic configuration and key exchange without the use of key servers (the key is automatically transmitted in the first message sent).
Delta Chat is completely controlled by the user and is not tied to centralized services. Does not require registration in new services, you can use an existing email as an identifier. If the correspondent does not use Delta Chat, they can read the message as a normal letter.
The fight against spam is carried out by filtering messages from unknown users (by default, only messages from address book users and those to whom messages were previously sent are displayed, as well as responses to own messages).
Finally, for those who are interested in learning more about it, they should know that the source code is written in C++ and is distributed under the GPLv3 license.
DeltaTouch builds are available for download in the OpenStore directory for Ubuntu Touch versions based on Ubuntu 16.04 and 20.04.
You can check the details of this launch in the following link