Tag: WhatsApp Web

WhatsApp Opens Up its Web Service to iOS Users – Finally!

WhatsApp has recently opened up access to its web service for Apple iPhone users. This service allows you to send and receive messages on your computers and phones.

This function is still being rolled out, and hence may not be available to all users immediately, but those of you who have the latest version of the WhatsApp app should be able to find a “web” menu option under the “settings”.

“Our web client is simply an extension of your phone: the web browser mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device – this means all of your messages still live on your phone.” – WhatsApp Blogspot

However, the feature works through the internet, so, the phone has to be connected to the internet, otherwise the conversation will drop out and all the users’ texts will remain on the phone. The web can sync data with the phone app that allows messages to be received and sent, within the browser. In order to sync your iPhone with the web client, you will first have to scan a QR code from WhatsApp’s website using your phone.

The WhatsApp web client had been launched in January 2015 and has since been available to Google, Windows, Blackberry and Nokia operating systems. However, this is the first time it has been available for Apple’s smartphone device.

August 20, 2015
Microsoft Assures Users Will Be Able To Access WhatsApp on Edge Soon

Microsoft released Windows 10 on 29th July but, if you are an avid WhatsApp Web user, it is likely that you may not be able to use this feature on your brand new Edge browser. At least, not yet.

If you have been using Internet Explorer, or Microsoft’s brand new browser called Edge in Windows 10, you’ve been out of luck – so far. Currently, WhatsApp Web is not cooperative with Microsoft’s Edge browser, though it can be accessed on Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Apple Safari and Google Chrome, which are all consistent on Windows.

According to a Windows Central report, a Microsoft program manager revealed that the company is, in fact, striving to get WhatsApp Web support to Edge.

Softpedia has quoted Microsoft’s Program Manager Greg Witworth (on Twitter), as stating that the Redmond-based company is working with the instant message service company to allow WhatsApp Web to support Edge users.

@MSEdgeDev @TheWebJustWorks FYI, WhatsApp is blocking IE and Edge: https://t.co/0uxALD6m0Z cc @gregwhitworth

— Alan Peto (@alanpeto) August 2, 2015

@alanpeto @MSEdgeDev @TheWebJustWorks Thanks for the heads up, we have an open line of communication with them regarding this cc: @dstorey

— gregwhitworth (@gregwhitworth) August 2, 2015

The report says that WhatsApp Web for Edge may be made accessible as an OS update; however, there is no particular timeline given for the launch of the service.

Moreover, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE) does not support WhatsApp Web. Hence, those on Windows need to use other browsers to access WhatsApp on their desktops.

Meanwhile, WhatsApp Web has been updated to feature aspects at par with the smartphone version of the popular messaging service. You will notice a new “edit” icon adjacent to “current status”, which allows you to make changes to your status and share it with friends. You can also hover over their current profile image, and an option is displayed that can be used for editing the image.

With the roll out of Windows 10 happening on a global scale, Microsoft has announced the price of the operating system in India. Microsoft’s official online store has listed the Home version under Rs 7,999 and the Pro version for Rs 14,999. For those users who are using Windows XP and earlier versions, or are assembling new PCs or laptops need to purchase the software. And, for those who are operating original Windows 7 and Windows 8, you are eligible for the free upgrade.

Windows 10 brings a new Edge browser, a new Windows Store, Office 2016 suite and completely redesigned Photos, Videos, Music, Maps, People, Mail and Calendar apps, among other upgrades.

August 3, 2015
WhatsApp Hits 800 Million Monthly Active Users

WhatsApp is one of the biggest success stories in the tech industry; the app is miles ahead of its competition. To announce another major accomplishment, CEO and Founder of WhatsApp, Jan Koum took to his official Facebook page and stated that the popular messaging app now has 800 Million Active users. He also stressed upon the fact that there is a major difference between registered users and active users.

On the other hand, Facebook announced last month that its Messenger app had managed to acquire 600 million active users within the short span of four months. Facebook, which owns both its Messenger as well as WhatsApp, has decidedly kept the two apps separate.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”Jan Kuom” author_title=”CEO and Founder of WhatsApp”]

WhatsApp – now serving 800,000,000 monthly active users. Reminder for the press out there: active and registered users are not the same thing :)

[/quote]

In the past couple of months we’ve been hearing about WhatsApp’s slow takeover in the voice calling segment. Android users have been the first ones to receive the voice calling update, while iOS and Windows users wait in line.

April 18, 2015
Facebook Launches WhatsApp Web-like Desktop Version of the Messenger

Facebook has launched a desktop based chat interface for its Facebook Messenger users worldwide. It is available right now for its English users, with more languages to follow in the next few weeks. It is accessible at Messenger.com where users can chat with their friends from their Web browser. A user would require a Facebook account to access the service.

Just like Whatsapp for Web, the Messenger site features the list of chat threads on the left with a large white chat interface on the right. Most of the mobile app features can be accessed here, like audio and video calls, photos and stickers.

At present, Messenger for Web lacks the ability to send photos, audio messages, or use the new Messenger platform content sharing apps. But, Facebook can add those features later as the service matures. Users also have an option of enabling a desktop notification; small pop-up is overlayed on the computer screen the alerts the users for incoming messages.

So how is the new service different than the regular Facebook chat box? Well, Facebook says Messenger.com could become an instant hit among busy users, who just use Facebook to talk with their friends and are looking to avoid the social content of the main site, like wall posts or notifications.

April 9, 2015
WhatsApp To Bring Voice Calling To Windows Phone

Android users of WhatsApp are elated to find the voice calling feature of the messaging app has finally come to their devices. At its recent developers conference, it was announced that the voice calling feature might be available for the iOS ecosystem soon. This lead many Windows Phone users to ask whether they’ll be getting the feature soon. Well looks like the Facebook owned messaging giant now has good news for its Windows users.

WhatsApp has confirmed that the voice calling feature is in its developmental stage. This was revealed when one Windows user inquired about the arrival of the feature on their devices.

There is no timeframe mentioned as of yet for the arrival of the voice calling feature on Windows phones. WhatsApp’s founder had stated during the developers conference that voice calling would be available on its iOS app in a few weeks. So as of now it isn’t sure which of the two will get the feature first, but considering the massive user base of Apple, our bet is on iOS devices.

April 6, 2015
The First Glimpse at How Facebook Plans to Integrate WhatsApp

It’s barely been a few days since Facebook gave an adrenaline boost to its Messenger platform by opening it for third-party developers. The independent platform gave users freedom to interact with businesses and made it an all-around service. The social networking giant is now making one more modification to the messaging tool that will incorporate WhatsApp to Facebook.

According to a report by Geek Time, Facebook is testing a new feature on its app for Android operating system that will mark the first major integration of WhatsApp to it parent company Facebook. The company has reportedly added a ‘Send’ button to Facebook’s latest version 31.0.0.7.13. The new feature is a part of the status actions buttons that appear beneath every status update, and it looks exactly like the WhatsApp icon.

As per the source, the button is spotted at the right side of the window for some users (for left-to-right languages) in the recent update. The pictures depicting the new feature inclusion is provided below:

It’s just the first glimpse at how Facebook is planning to play its WhatsApp acquisition. The same report also confirms of a deeper integration between the two that would allow users to send messages directly from Facebook Messenger to WhatsApp. It took Facebook more than a year to merge its buyout with its central tool, but it seems like the parent firm was mulling over on how to use it wisely. The social networking tool seems to be making slow but steady moves, towards becoming the ruler of the messaging market.

Without leaving its ground, Facebook is firming its grasp into several other domains as well. Recently, we reported that Facebook is also developing a new caller ID and call blocking tool ‘Phone‘ and has built a solar-powered drone to beam down internet to the earth.

April 6, 2015
WhatsApp Web Now Comes to Firefox and Opera Browsers

The social networking service WhatsApp gave users a reason to switch to desktop when they introduced WhatsApp Web. Unfortunately, it was limited to Google Chrome to date, but now WhatsApp has extended its reach to Firefox and Opera too.

Today, the company confirmed the same on Twitter –

WhatsApp Web: https://t.co/BPQLxqKDSj – Firefox and Opera browsers are now supported! pic.twitter.com/D4aQiy5IC6

— WhatsApp Inc. (@WhatsApp) February 25, 2015

To launch the same on your desktop, go to WhatsApp Web on your device and scan the QR code on web.whatsapp.com. For now, the desktop version is compatible with devices running on Android, Windows and BlackBerry. The iOS handsets are yet to join the league.

February 26, 2015
Desktop Version of WhatsApp is Now a Reality

There are rumours and then there are premeditated rumours. WhatApp’s web version was the second one. We have been hearing about the web client of the the popular messaging app for a long time now. Yesterday, the company officially announced a web app that will turn your Google Chrome browser into a WhatsApp window.

It is a web app not a native client for your desktop, that means you need to be connected to the internet on your phone for the web app to work. It basically mirrors the app on your phone onto the web site. To use it, you need log onto the WhatsApp web page, scan a QR code with the WhatsApp mobile app, then get to typing your messages from there.

This is necessary, presumably, because WhatsApp uses your phone number and SMS verifications rather than usernames/passwords. This currently works on Android, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry, but not on iOS.

One of the main limitations of the app is its dependence on the mobile network, so if your phone dies because of the low battery, the web client won’t work either. However, it is just a start, we expect the company to add more feature and support for other browsers as well as iOS in coming months.

We tried to connect our Android device with the web client, but it seems the update hasn’t reached the Indian shores yet.

January 22, 2015