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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.

7 of 166 comments (clear)

  1. No thanks! by butzwonker · · Score: 5, Funny

    I prefer email on Linux, but I nevertheless appreciate the effort.

    1. 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."
  2. 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.

  3. 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 LichtSpektren · · Score: 4, Informative

      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?

      So you don't have to pick up your phone repeatedly while you're on your desktop.

  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. 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.