Around fifteen months after WhatsApp’s first web app release comes the launch of its desktop apps for Mac and Windows. The move should please the billion users that Facebook-owned messaging service currently has.
While the desktop app isn’t that significantly from the WhatsApp web app, the company stated in an announcement that “our desktop app is simply an extension of your phone,” which means that messages will be synced between different devices.
Due to the high penetration of smartphones in countries such as India, Brazil, and South Africa, WhatsApp has enjoyed tremendous success in those areas. Although there are alternative messaging services like iMessenger, We Chat and Skype to name a few, WhatsApp’s desktop app will appeal to power users especially people who use it for work communication and give it a competitive edge.
Another thing that WhatsApp is currently trying is B2C accounts, which could give it a new source for revenue after the app’s 99 cent subscription fee was dropped.
