As you probably already know, until now, WhatsApp for the Windows operating system was based on the Electron framework, one that leverages web technologies to build desktop apps. This required a lesser development effort, as you wouldn’t need to rebuild your web app from scratch to cater to desktops. However, it is also known that it sometimes resulted in relatively poor performance and consistency issues. In order to fix that, WhatsApp has been working on a new Windows app based on the Universal Windows Platform (UWP). And, now the app has graduated from its beta state and is generally available to all interested Windows users from the Microsoft Store.
Quick tip:
Another solution for the purpose of using WhatsApp is to install the Opera browser. It offers a complete web experience and it was chosen by millions of users because of its versatility and reliability. WhatsApp Web is integrated with your sidebar in Opera for desktop, so you’ll never miss a message. You can also share photos online through My Flow which syncs all your devices.
Find the new WhatsApp UWP on the Store
WhatsApp developers announced this through a recent support article where they highlighted that the WhatsApp UWP app for Windows is now generally available. Even though the company doesn’t exactly say that it leverages UWP, it does refer to native technologies being used to build the reavamped application. According to the same source, these are the advantages that we get from switching frameworks:
Increased reliability and speed Designed and optimized for your desktop operating system Continue to receive notifications and messages even when your phone is offline
To be completely truthful, the first two options described by the company should really be a given, considering the migration to native Windows technologies. However, the third one actually confirms that WhatsApp for the Windows operating system can now function as a standalone app where you don’t need to be connected to your phone all the time. WhatsApp users will surely know that the above-mentioned functionality has been touted for some other platforms as well. While still in Beta, WhatsApp had been introducing new features to its app rather quickly. Among them were message reactions, better chat filters, enhancements to voice notes, and view once content. As we said at the beginning of the article, the new WhatsApp for Windows can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store. Remember that WhatsApp confirmed that a native macOS app is in development too and those interested can sign up for the beta. Have you already tried the new UWP WhatsApp software? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.
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