14 DAY TRIAL // In a very short while, WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging applications available for smartphones, practically annulling most of its competitors.
But ever since Facebook has taken the company under their almighty umbrella, they seem to be having big plans for it, one of which is centered around the possibility of expanding the range of platforms the app is optimized for.
Now, one of the company’s employees who of course remained anonymous talked to BILD and revealed a tablet-optimized version of WhatsApp is apparently under works (via TabletsMagazine).
The source goes on to explain, tablet-optimization has been one of the most frequent requests the company receives from users who are craving for an application version that is compatible with larger screens.
After all, the move makes a lot of sense, considering that more and more tablets these days arrive with voice-calling capabilities, therefore acting more like smartphones than like traditional slates.
The rumored tablet overhaul is expected to arrive with a host of new additions and improvements, although they won’t be limited only to the tablet app, but will also hit the current version of the app.
Furthermore, the new version will be compatible with tablets running Windows, Android and iOS operating systems. One of the features of the upcoming iOS app has already been revealed in the form of the freshly squeezed iOS 8 quick reply. .
Some of the other novelties have been listed as Night Mode, so we can’t help but wonder whether we’re going to be witnessing a deep design overhaul with a darker than average theme, suitable for use when you’re trying to text in the dark.
Other features said to be arriving with the new optimized tablet version include the long-awaited Voice Over IP which will allow users to make phone calls over Cellular or Wi-Fi.
Last but not least, we’re most likely going to see the new application arrive with a Snapchat-reminiscent removal feature, in which users can select the exact time for when an image gets removed forever and ever, after being used for a time.
Anyway, take this information with a grain of salt, because it’s certainly far from being a confirmed fact. For the time being, anyway.
In a play to dominate messaging on phones and the Web, Facebook has acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion / €14 a few months ago, but now the company is recognizing the need to appeal to tablet users too.
According to OnDevice Research, WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app for smartphones, but will it have the same success on tablets?