WhatsApp for iPad to be launched soon
What's the story
After being popular on smartphones for several years, it looks like Facebook-owned WhatsApp is going to launch the messaging app for tablets now. Popular tipster WABetaInfo, which covers WhatsApp's features and developments, tweeted the company may soon launch an app for Apple iPad users. However, it didn't confirm whether it would be a dedicated app or a client application like WhatsApp Web. Read more!
Update
WhatsApp for iPad references spotted in latest update
WABetaInfo said it came across references for the "WhatsApp application for iPad" in the latest update of WhatsApp's desktop app. WhatsApp Desktop 0.2.6968 update has references to icons for iPad. WABetaInfo, which earlier said WhatsApp was working on an iPad app, tweeted, "Our rumour about a WhatsApp for iPad app was real (real like our other rumours as WhatsApp Business and the Facebook infrastructure)."
Twitter Post
What is WABetaInfo saying?
New references about the WhatsApp for iPad app found in WhatsApp Desktop 0.2.6968 recent update.
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) November 11, 2017
It's sooo obvious, as you can see in the screenshot. pic.twitter.com/Nc07nEzxnN
Dedicated App
Likely to be a dedicated app for iPad
WhatsApp for iPad could be a standalone app rather than a client application like WhatsApp Web, as Apple also has iPads with cellular support. WhatsApp is currently usable only on smartphones as it requires a valid mobile phone number for registration. It looks like the company is currently looking only at iPads for now, as there's no word on Android tablets yet.
Options
iPad users depend on third-party messaging apps
As there is no WhatsApp for iPad, users depend on third-party apps or WhatsApp Web for using the instant messaging service. WhatsApp Web is accessible via Safari, but the experience isn't that great. It also means that their phone should always be connected to send/receive messages. Alternatively, they can download reliable third-party apps like Messenger for WhatsApp or Chat for WhatsApp from App Store.
Information
WhatsApp yet to confirm the reports
WhatsApp has not yet revealed anything about its iPad app, but reports claim that its Desktop app shows accommodations for iPad app are apparently being made. It remains to be seen whether iPad app would be a dedicated one or something based on WhatsApp desktop.
New Features
WhatsApp recently introduced series of new features
WhatsApp recently introduced several new features to make the experience much better for its 1.3-billion users. Delete for Everyone feature allows users to recall messages within seven minutes (trick: delete messages after seven minutes by changing devices time in settings). WhatsApp is developing an in-app payments feature, which would be released in India around December. It is also working on a group voice-calls feature.