14 DAY TRIAL // One of the most popular messaging applications for mobile phones, WhatsApp has just received a new update that promises to improve the user experience on Android devices.
WhatsApp for Android has 50 million downloads in the Google Play Store, formerly known as Android Market, and a 4.6 rating out of 5. Almost 670k users gave the Android application 5 stars, which says something about the quality of the software.
WhatsApp is a cross-platform messenger that allows users to send and receive messages, pictures, audio notes and video messages.
Basically, WhatsApp eliminates the need to send SMS and uses the 3G or WiFi (when available) to send these text messages, pictures or audio notes.
There are no international charges or hidden costs. Given the fact that the application features push notifications, it always stays logged online as long as it’s installed on a mobile device.
When offline, the application saves all messages received during this time until the user retrieves them when it goes online. WhatsApp for Android has been constantly improved with updates that deliver various bug fixes, performance improvements and new features.
In the past few days, two software updates have been released in the Google Play store. Version 2.7.9736 adds a search within conversation feature, a Czech translation, a default wallpaper and a “long” vibrate setting to help accessibility.
In addition, the settings screen has been overhauled and improved and the “large” font size has been increased in order to help with accessibility.
The second update, software version 2.7.9946 fixes a bug for wallpaper-related crashes, as well as some back-button-related issues.
A bug fix for Sony Ericsson devices with ICS, which eliminates crashes due to two-finger scrolling, has been provided as well. Last but not least, Arabic related text input has also been included.
WhatsApp 2.7.9946 is now available as a free download via Google Play Store and it should be fully compatible with all devices running Android 2.1 and up.
Keep in mind that while the application is free for the first year, those who want to continue using it will have to pay a $0.99 yearly fee.
