Bug fixes and other improvements We've created an updated version of Beeper Mini that fixes an issue that caused messages not to be sent or received. You can get the update directly from beeper.com/update on your phone. We are still doing some final testing before submitting the update to the Google Play Store for distribution to all users.
What “they’ve been doing for several years”, as I stated, is requiring you to use an email for iMessage, so in that way, yes it is.