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WhatsApp Now Has a Desktop App, Available on Windows, OS X

Posted by msmash on from the desktop-chatters-camp dept.

WhatsApp is now also available as a native desktop app on Windows and OS X, the Facebook-owned instant messaging and voice calling company announced. The app supports desktop notifications, keyboard shortcuts and a range of other features. For the desktop app to function, users still need to have their phone connected to the Internet.

WhatsApp isn't very popular in the United States and European countries, but it has a large user base of active users in the emerging markets such as India and Brazil. In fact, earlier this year, the company announced that it has hit one billion monthly active users. For those interested, you can download the app for your desktop (or any other device) from the company's website.

10 of 166 comments (clear)

  1. I don't get it by gmack · · Score: 4, Insightful

    When I was in Spain, everyone used WhatsAPP and I just found the whole thing poorly designed.

    As a cheap SMS replacement it's good, but it's really not much more than that. Notifications don't follow you on whatever device you are using and it really does not take phone number changes very well. All the people who had me in Spain? Now that I am back in Canada, If they try and WhatsAPP me, they will get no notification that I will never see the message.

  2. Useless by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 4, Insightful

    For the desktop app to function, users still need to have their phone connected to the Internet.

    So what's the point of a desktop program if it requires a smartphone?

    1. Re:Useless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I'm not sure, that's pretty brain dead.

      Generally I could understand a "mobile first" strategy, but for What's App, "mobile only" was completely brain dead. It's way more convenient to type messages on a real, physical keyboard on your computer. It's the main reason we ruled out What's App when choosing a chat platform.

    2. Re:Useless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      You get to use your keyboard and have access to stuff on your local drive that you might want to share.
      Then again, their browser interface does that, too.

    3. Re:Useless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I agree. This is the exact same issue with the web-app. If my phone looses Internet connection (which is more common, because I turned on the power-saving features that includes killing the wifi), I cannot do anything with the web-app. What a waste of bits.

    4. Re:Useless by yes-but-no · · Score: 3, Insightful

      web interface lets one use their desktop/big screen n full keyboard/mouse. It's much much more convenient than the touch screen of a phone (at least for a large majority of population I would guess). Of course you can use your favorite browser (chrome, say). And you can do the usual browser things like large cut n paste, book marks, downloads. So can't see why it's 'utterly pointless'. Whatsapp needs a phone. no point is bringing that to say web interface is useless. What I fail to see now is what desktop app brings new over the current web whatsapp.

  3. Re:No thanks! by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 5, Insightful

    lots of ways to 'message' someone.

    but I also fail to understand why. email works. its interoperable. its one port to leave open and secure, not a bazillion. the protocol is understood, it can be secured at least as well as any other (more than most), it does not require ANY special hardware or phone; ie, it can work on slow text terminals as well as fancy fast gfx based ones.

    all my messages are in the same folder. I can search. I dont' have to worry about which app this person sent me a notice on.

    and of course, the trendy apps come and go; but email is STILL with us.

    yeah, GOML. but still, other than 'instant' messages (email is pretty close to instant these days, though) - I'm not seeing any real reason to switch from email to (name of fad that is currently popular) comms.

    --

    --
    "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
  4. Yet another XMPP hack? by Kludge · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Whatsapp is just a modified implementation of the XMPP (Jabber) standard. I will stick with standard XMPP and choose from the dozens of applications that support it. Thanks.

  5. Re:No thanks! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    And WhatsApp is both proprietary and spyware.

  6. Popularity by ledow · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "WhatsApp isn't very popular in the United States and E"uropean countries"

    You're kidding right? Over half my contacts are on WhatsApp - it's basically free texting, including internationally.

    Anyone, especially who travels in Europe, who isn't using it already is just one friend away from being invited to it.

    More people I know use WhatsApp than Facetime, or Skype.