Linkzy v1.4.0 Release Notes

Linkzy v1.4.0 Release Notes

Release Date: June 6, 2025

Overview

We are excited to announce the release of Linkzy v1.4.0! This major update brings significant improvements and new features to our real-time chat application built with Flutter and Firebase, enhancing both functionality and user experience.

What's New

• Red Box Feature Introduce: Improved security and accessibility
• Display Name Feature: Added support for customizable display names separate from usernames
• UI Overhaul: Comprehensive visual improvements throughout the application
• UX Improvements: Streamlined workflows and interactions for better usability
• Performance Optimizations: Faster loading times and improved responsiveness

Features

Core Features

• Real-time Messaging

  • Instant message delivery with live updates
  • Read receipts and delivery confirmations
  • NEW: Animated chat screen backgrounds
  • Message history synchronization
  • Sound notifications for new messages

• Contact Management

  • NEW: Dedicated contact screen for saving favorite contacts
  • NEW: Quick access to frequent conversations
  • NEW: Contact organization features

• User Authentication

  • Secure email and password authentication
  • Account management
  • Password reset functionality

• User Profiles

  • NEW: Fully enabled profile editing
  • NEW: Display name support separate from username
  • Customizable usernames
  • Profile pictures (upload from device)
  • Predefined avatar selection - Choose from 9 stylish avatars

• Search Functionality

  • Find users by username or display name
  • Quick access to recent conversations

• UI/UX Features

  • IMPROVED: Redesigned interface with better visual hierarchy
  • IMPROVED: More intuitive navigation and interactions
  • Message bubbles with enhanced status indicators
  • Conversation preview in chat list
  • Chat list in descending order (newest conversations first)
  • Enhanced emoji support in messages

📕 Enhanced Red Box Feature

💬 Secret Chat Mode with PIN/Password-Based Access – now accessible via Settings page

🔴 Feature Objective

The Red Box is a high-security, hidden chat zone inside Linkzy. It provides:

• 🔐 Secure PIN/passphrase protection
• 🎭 Hidden or disguised access
• 💬 Separate encrypted message storage
• ⚙️ Now also accessible via Settings > Red Box

🗂️ Updated User Access Flow

🔽 Access Points
User can enter Red Box via:

• 🧤 Hidden Trigger: gesture (e.g., double-tap logo, long press, corner tap)
• ⚙️ Settings Option: Tap on disguised or clearly labeled "Red Box" menu in Settings

🔐 Authentication & Access Flow

1. User taps Red Box (via Settings or hidden gesture)
2. App checks if PIN/passphrase exists
   • ❌ If not → Create PIN screen
   • ✅ If yes → Enter PIN screen
3. On valid entry → Load Red Box Chat UI
4. On wrong PIN → Retry limit, delay lockout (optional)

Platforms

This release is available for:

• 📱 Android

  • app-release.apk – Universal APK for all Android architectures (56.7MB)
  • app-arm64-v8a-release.apk – Optimized for modern Android devices (24.0MB)
  • app-armeabi-v7a-release.apk – Compatible with older Android devices (21.6MB)
  • app-x86_64-release.apk – Suitable for emulators and x86 devices (25.1MB)
  • app-release.aab – App Bundle for Google Play Store submission (31.3MB)

• 🌐 Web

  • Web build for deployment on any static hosting service

Installation

Android

1. Download the appropriate APK for your device
   • Most modern phones: app-arm64-v8a-release.apk
   • Older devices: app-armeabi-v7a-release.apk
   • Emulators: app-x86_64-release.apk
   • Any Android device (larger file): app-release.apk
2. Enable "Install from Unknown Sources" in your device settings
3. Open the downloaded APK file and follow the installation prompts
4. Launch Linkzy from your app drawer

Web

1. Deploy the web build to your web server directory
2. Configure your web server to serve the files
3. Access via your web domain

Technical Details

Dependencies

• Flutter: ^3.6.2
• Firebase Core: ^3.13.1
• Firebase Auth: ^5.5.4
• Firebase Storage: ^12.4.6
• Firebase Messaging: ^15.2.6
• Cloud Firestore: ^5.6.8
• Other dependencies as listed in pubspec.yaml

Architecture

• Frontend: Flutter (UI framework)
• Backend: Firebase services
• State Management: Provider & Riverpod
• Storage: Cloud Firestore (NoSQL database)
• Authentication: Firebase Authentication

Known Issues

• Minor UI glitches on some Android devices with custom fonts
• Web notifications require manual permission
• First-time authentication may take longer than subsequent logins

Upcoming Features

We're already working on future releases that will include:

• Group messaging
• Media sharing (images, videos)
• Push notifications for background alerts
• Voice messages
• Video calling integration
• Message search functionality
• Message reactions with emojis

Feedback & Support

We welcome your feedback and suggestions for improving Linkzy. Please submit issues and feature requests through our GitHub repository.

For support, contact us at:

• GitHub Issues: https://github.com/abhishek-maurya576/linkzy/issues
• Email: official.linkzy@gmail.com

License

Linkzy is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for details.

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Thank you for using Linkzy! We hope you enjoy these updates and look forward to bringing you more exciting features in future releases.

The Linkzy Team