The new app flavor is expected to arrive on devices in the near future

Apr 19, 2013 06:48 GMT  ·  By

Windows Phone users who are fond of WhatsApp should know that a major update is coming soon to the app, with a nice range of enhancements packed inside.

We have already had the chance to take a look at some of them, but more details on what the application will have to offer are now available, courtesy of a beta release that the company is working with at the moment, in preparation for the final iteration.

The beta of WhatsApp for Windows Phone is currently at version 2.9.69, but the final release will sport version 3.0, WPCentral notes.

One of the main changes in the new application flavor will be a re-written background agent, one that replaces the music API that previously kept WhatsApp connected to the service through having a blank song “streaming” continuously.

Starting with version 3.0, the software will behave like all other Windows Phone applications, and will also offer access to it in the Settings > Background Tasks section, it seems.

At the same time, WhatsApp will offer support for larger images – which should make inline images easier to view –, a series of fixes for notifications, and fast resume.

WPCentral also notes that WhatsApp has been working with Nokia on the development of the new application flavor, and that things are looking great at the moment. Windows Phone users will also benefit from UI enhancements in the new release, as well as from new smileys, and will also be asked to back up their chat history at startup. The previously reported geotagging issue in the app might be resolved in that release as well.

While no specific info on when WhatsApp 3.0 will arrive on Windows Phone has been provided as of now, it seems that users might not have too long to wait for it. Keep an eye on this space for additional info on the matter.