this post was submitted on 20 Sep 2024
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Element is launching the world’s first communications platform based on the upcoming Matrix 2.0 release. The result is blazing performance which outperforms the mainstream alternatives - across a decentralised system that enables self-hosting and end-to-end encryption - as well as open standard interoperability to revolutionise real time communication between large organisations.

Built on Matrix 2.0, Element X now rivals the performance of centralised consumer messaging apps, empowering organisations to address the shadow IT issues caused by consumer-grade messaging apps in the workplace.

The new Element communications solution consists:

  • Element X, our next-gen app with an array of new features
  • Element Call fully integrated into Element X, for native Matrix-encrypted voice and video
  • Element Server Suite, our backend hosting solution for powerful admin control and Matrix 2.0 performance
(page 3) 37 comments
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[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (8 children)

Is everything encrypted yet? Or do they still allow users to send unencrypted messages?

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 3 weeks ago (8 children)

Still no Spaces support. Even the short list of rooms I've joined are unmanageable when listed flat with no way to identify which Space a #general belongs to

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[–] [email protected] 41 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

I had just uninstalled Element X like two weeks ago because I found it to under perform compared to the normal Element client on Android, in addition to lacking some features. I guess I'll give it another shot.

Update: WOW this thing feels lightning fast compared to just a few weeks ago. This is great. Not sure about feature completeness, but based on speed I think I'll migrate Element > Element X again. Great job to the team!

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 3 weeks ago (9 children)

Screensharing would let so many people move from discord

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

Has anyone tried the new app?

[–] [email protected] 15 points 3 weeks ago

I've been using the nightly releases for element X android for some time.

Sliding sync means messages are fetched quite a bit quicker, though it's not yet feature complete relative to regular element android.

I've not yet tested element call on EXA, however, but it's worked very nicely for me via web.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I'm trying it now, seems okay so far. I tried it a few months ago and it was unusable, so it's improved.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Store reviews are 2.4 / 5 why the poor reception

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Have you read the reviews?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 weeks ago

Just now, sounds like it's feature incomplete, still I am curious if I missed anything big

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago (7 children)

The result is blazing performance which outperforms the mainstream alternatives

I highly doubt that. At last the last version of it (released earlier this year) that supported my previous phone I'm pretty sure was more sluggish than telegram.
And even though it's not really a visible problem on my new one, and even though that I can't check it's resource usage anymore (thanks again google for fucking uo /proc! it was a huge idea!), it still means that it uses more battery power

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

Native Sliding Sync (AKA Simplified Sliding Sync) was just released to Synapse and Element X over the past couple of weeks. It’s not an exaggeration to say that it is FAST now. My fairly large account usually syncs instantly now. If not instant, the longest I’ve seen was 1 second. Give Element X a try again (assuming your home server supports SSS).

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (4 children)

We should probably stop arguing about Matrix vs XMPP and finally decide what to use or else we'll never move forward.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Got it. I'll use matrix, and you can use XMPP

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I don’t like what I see in the iOS app stores privacy section for the app.

[–] [email protected] 35 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Element is able to use features called "Integration Manager" and "Identity Server". When using an Identity Server, you can choose to link name, email, and phone number to your Matrix account. When using an Integration Manager, there's a feature to share your location with others in chat.

As such, Vector discloses that they "collect this information", although (except some diagnostics), this is completely optional.

(I am not associated with Vector, just interested in Matrix)

[–] [email protected] 16 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

Ah interesting ok. So basically even though it CAN link all of that info to you and such doesn't mean that it WILL if you opt out of things. Is that correct?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago

The way permissions are listed on mobile operating these days is honestly pretty misleading.

For example, I know some apps that need to request network permission even though they don't need to connect to the internet. Not because they want to do anything shady, but because they legitably have to in order to get certain info.

Not to mention the problem of listing everything an app can do as if it is doing all of those things.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Correct, Vector does not receive this information unless you willingly share it with them.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Ok thank you

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago

Strange. I could only find vector settings in the regular Element app. And even stranger, it prompts me with “Accept Identity Server Terms” but if I tap on the identity server option it says “You are currently using vector…”. I also cannot disconnect unless I accept the terms. I really wish all of this was more clear.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

What do you find WTF about it?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

That’s a lot of data collection.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago
[–] [email protected] 11 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

What's matrix 2.0? Are they finally gonna use the go backend as opposed to the python one?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago

Not exactly. Matrix 2.0 relates to the protocol (Matrix) version, which has its major number incremented due to a bunch of, well, major changes/updates to make it much better. OIDC, sliding sync and native calls are some of the new things that comprise the 2.0 update.

The server implementations are somewhat orthogonal to this. Synapse (the original Python server) is still the main implementation, and is Matrix 2.0 ready.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Yeah its not clear to me what matrix 2.0 is either, seems like spec changes? Nothing here about synapse (the python matrix server), or the go one.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago

Yeah its not clear to me what matrix 2.0 is either, seems like spec changes?

Yes, Matrix is the protocol. Element is one of many clients supporting said protocol, and synapse is one of many servers supporting said protocol.

[–] [email protected] 27 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

The last time I used element x was probably a couple months ago and I wouldn't really call it 'production ready'. But I guess I'll have to try it again.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 3 weeks ago

I still don't think it's there, but development hss been fast, so a lot has changed and improved in the last couple of months.

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[–] [email protected] 61 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

"invisible cryptography" I sure hope this isn't an empty promise. The number one gripe I have with matrix/element is the absolutely horrendous crypto dance they make you do.

[–] [email protected] 29 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

It's probably the number one reason I can't convince friends to move over, I know they would bawk at how it makes them do that on every device

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago

I studied cryptography and I can't figure out how to do the dance right. I thought I did, but one of my contacts says they can't read any message I send them. And I can't message them to figure out why.

We haven't spoken since. Thanks Matrix.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 3 weeks ago (8 children)

while I agree that there are too many problems right now, 2 things really can't be avoided:

  • setting up key backup after registration asap
  • verifying your new logged in devices, possibly with the key backup password

well, unless they are fine with using it like signal, which is basically one device only

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