WhatsApp is launching a public beta of its desktop app. MacOS and Windows users can now sign up for the program and try out all of the app’s latest features.
According to WABetaInfo, this public beta is a way for WhatsApp to improve support for multiple devices and to have more people provide feedback to the team behind the app.
When users sign up for the program, they officially become beta testers and will automatically receive all beta updates. Currently, the most recent version for public users is 2.2133.1.
WABetaInfo note that in this version there is a new experience when recording voice messages. Users can not only see the waveforms while recording a voicemail message, but also pause the message and listen to the audio before sending it. The website says this feature is also under development on WhatsApp for iOS.
If you encounter a bug, beta testers can report it in “WhatsApp Desktop Settings”, “Contact Us” and send a screenshot so the team can understand what’s going on.
Apart from that, WhatsApp is also preparing to launch an iPad app. With multi-device compatibility, users will be able to stay connected to WhatsApp even without their phone nearby or when their smartphone is running low on battery.
According to a spokesperson for WhatsApp in an interview with TechRadar, this feature will allow people to use WhatsApp “without needing to have your phone connected:”
“Multi-device means users will have the same features available on current public versions of WhatsApp Web, Desktop, and Portal, without needing to connect your phone. Our multi-device capability immediately improves the experience for people using Desktop / Web and Portal. And it will also add support for more device types over time.“
If you want to become a public WhatsApp desktop beta tester, download the app beta here.
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