Hey everyone!

It's been a while since the last update, but I'm excited to share what I've been working on for LockChat. What started as a university dissertation project has now been supercharged by the recent advancements in Generative AI! I've been able to leverage this tech to create a more dynamic and engaging experience. This update includes significant improvements, quality-of-life tweaks, and enhancements aimed at boosting realism!

Here's what's new:

• AI-Powered Conversations: Replaced hardcoded responses with real-time API calls to Groq's API, utilizing Llama3 for each character's unique personality and responses! Expect more natural and varied conversations.
• Profile Picture Reactions: Characters now react when you change your profile picture, adding a touch of personality and immersion.
• Realistic Typing Simulation: No more instant replies! Characters will now "think" for a bit before responding, and you'll even see a "typing..." indicator with a calculated realistic typing time, creating a more believable interaction.
• Consolidated and Updated Layout: The Login, Friends and Chat windows have been redesigned and streamlined for a cleaner, more intuitive experience.
• Improved Chat Interface: Bigger font, a dedicated textbox with an "Enter" button, and key functionality to easily send messages.
• Seamless Navigation:
  • Easily switch between conversations by returning to the Friends window without restarting the game.
  • Return to the Login screen from the Friends window without a full restart.
• Persistent Login: Your chosen name and username are now stored locally, so you don't have to re-enter them every time you launch the game.
• Data Management:
  • Added an option to reset all stored data (name, username, and API key).
  • Change your Groq API key directly from the chat window settings.
• The entire codebase has been fully optimized, reworked, and enhanced for improved performance and stability.
• Coming Soon... Sneak Peek! Added 5 placeholder characters with viewable profiles. You can't chat with them yet, but they're coming in a future update!

What's Next?

The next update will focus on further interface improvements, including options for custom text colors and chat background colors.

I'm excited to get back into this project!