14 DAY TRIAL // A new flavor of the WhatsApp Messenger application is now available for download for the owners of Android-based devices, namely version 2.11.19.
The updated app release was pushed out through WhatsApp’s own servers, but should make it to the Google Play Store in the not too distant future.
Although no official changelog has been published alongside the new app iteration, WhatsApp has already confirmed that users will be enjoying some appealing novelties in the cross-platform messenger.
To be more precise, the application is packing push-to-talk voice messaging capabilities now, as Co-Founder and CEO of WhatsApp, Jan Koum, told AllThingsD.
WhatsApp is set to make the new feature available for all of its mobile clients, regardless of the platform (it is available on BlackBerry, Android, iPhone, Windows Phone and Nokia devices).
The mobile messaging service currently enjoys over 300 million monthly active users, with over 20 million active users each in Germany, Mexico, India and Spain.
The new capability will provide users with the possibility to push a recorded message to the receiver.
Voice messaging is very simple with the application, it seems. All that users need to do is press and hold the recording button, and the message is automatically sent when the button is released.
However, should the user decide not to send the message, they can simply swipe left and the recording is deleted.
“The number of taps matters. People want to send a message and be on their way,” Koum said, comparing the feature with that of other messaging apps out there, which require more taps to work.
“We really are excited about this functionality. We think it is going to be awesome,” he also said.
WhatsApp is also considering the addition of other new features to the application, so as to provide users with more media-centric capabilities. However, specific details on the matter were not provided as of now.