Normally, the popular messaging app WhatsApp is only used on mobile
devices (Android, iOS, Windows Phone and Blackberry), however with the
brand-new PC and Mac version of the app, you can finally use it from
your desktop! All you need to do is simply install the WhatsApp program
so you can chat with your friends straight from your Mac or Windows PC.
Although it seems to work well so far, it is far from perfect.
WhatsApp Web is now a native app
Maybe you were already aware of WhatsApp Web - the version you could
use from within your internet browser. WhatsApp for PC is exactly the
same, however you don’t need to open a browser in order to use it. WhatsApp for PC is also very similar to the mobile version of the
app, so if you’re a daily use, it certainly won’t take you long to get
the hang of its functions. This version offers everything you would
expect to see (just on a larger screen), and offers the ability to chat,
send and receive photos, documents and notes, create and manage groups,
change your profile picture, etc. It all sounds rather great, but there are some limitations to the
app. For example, it doesn’t allow you to share you location, nor does
it allow you to add new contacts. Yes, although WhatsApp for PC is an option that makes life a little
bit easier now and again, it isn’t something that’s going to replace
your mobile device any time soon.
Everything has a “but”
In order to start using the PC version of the app, you need to first
scan the QR code using your mobile device, just as you would with
WhatsApp Web.
After scanning the code, the WhatsApp account you have registered to
your phone will be associated with the new one on your PC, and you can
begin chatting!
The options in the desktop version are beautifully arranged
(reminiscent of WhatsApp for Android). The truth is that it doesn’t take
much effort from your part to find anything you need and is simply a
pleasure to chat at a much faster pace thanks to the keyboard. If you
have a webcam and/or microphone, you also have the ability to send
photos/videos/audio clips.
Another great thing about using the PC version is that internet
connections tend to be faster than those on mobile, therefore data
transfers are much quicker and straight forward.
All in all, WhatsApp for PC works just fine, but it does depend
entirely on your phone. You can chat directly from your PC, however your
mobile device needs to be connected at all times. With this limitation
in mind, it puts it behind its rivals such as LINE and Telegram, who
each have their own independent desktop versions.
Was it worth the wait?
WhatsApp users have been asking for a desktop version for ages, and
finally they have it, despite not being 100% what they were expecting.
Although the version works extremely well and offers almost all the same
features as the mobile version, it doesn’t have one of the most
important – the ability to work independently. We can only hope that
Facebook, who acquired the app back in 2014 will notice the flaw and we
might get a nice surprise in the next update.
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