WhatsApp looks set to launch a big update soon and it will finally fix one of the biggest irritations of the popular chat app. As spotted by the ever-reliable team at WABetaInfo, it appears that the Facebook-owned chat app has begun testing a feature called "Linked Devices".
As the name suggests, this will allow WhatsApp's two billion users to add more than one device to their accounts meaning they can chat from a PC, smartphone and tablet without any fuss.
Currently, the only way to do this is via WhatsApp Web but this service requires the primary smartphone that's used for the account to be powered up and connected to the web.
The new update would end all that with up to four devices all having unique access to chats simultaneously.
WABetaInfo has seen the update in action with WhatsApp currently in the early test phase but it seems both Android and iOS users are set to get this feature.
As with all WhatsApp upgrades, there's no word on when it will be released but hopefully, we might see some official news in the next few months.
Although it will certainly be popular it has been met with some concerns about privacy.
With chats all available on numerous devices, it could leave users open to others snooping on their conversations.
Explaining more, Jake Moore, Cybersecurity Specialist at ESET: “Although using multiple devices comes with added convenience, it also brings security risks and privacy problems.
"Users must be aware that although WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption stops people intercepting the data, it also adds multiple end points that act as decryption keys. This makes the data less secure and more vulnerable to attack.
"I advise all users to set up a lock on any device with WhatsApp installed and to set up the two factor authentication offered by the app, which makes users randomly enter a 6 digit code. This keeps prying eyes away from your sensitive data.”
Along with that "Linked Devices" update, it's also thought that Facebook could finally be readying the launch of a dedicated iPad app.
This has been in development for some time and the release of this application for tablets could coincide with that multiple device launches.
There's also more good news for Apple fans as the latest beta version on iPhone hints that WhatsApp is working to add the ability to individually customise each conversation or group chat within the app.
That means you'll be able to add a different background image for every conversation within the app.
Another new customisation feature available to test in the same beta suggests WhatsApp will allow app users to adjust the brightness of their wallpaper separately from your smartphone display. That means you'll be able to reduce bright colours so they don't over-power the small green chat bubbles (traditionally, the most important parts of any chat app window – jazzy background, or no jazzy background).
According to the prolific team at @WABetaInfo, "This is a big move from WhatsApp, that never allowed to customise specific chats. We hope to see more similar features in future, for example the possibility to choose different auto-download settings in different chats."
As the name suggests, this will allow WhatsApp's two billion users to add more than one device to their accounts meaning they can chat from a PC, smartphone and tablet without any fuss.
Currently, the only way to do this is via WhatsApp Web but this service requires the primary smartphone that's used for the account to be powered up and connected to the web.
The new update would end all that with up to four devices all having unique access to chats simultaneously.
WABetaInfo has seen the update in action with WhatsApp currently in the early test phase but it seems both Android and iOS users are set to get this feature.
As with all WhatsApp upgrades, there's no word on when it will be released but hopefully, we might see some official news in the next few months.
Although it will certainly be popular it has been met with some concerns about privacy.
With chats all available on numerous devices, it could leave users open to others snooping on their conversations.
Explaining more, Jake Moore, Cybersecurity Specialist at ESET: “Although using multiple devices comes with added convenience, it also brings security risks and privacy problems.
"Users must be aware that although WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption stops people intercepting the data, it also adds multiple end points that act as decryption keys. This makes the data less secure and more vulnerable to attack.
"I advise all users to set up a lock on any device with WhatsApp installed and to set up the two factor authentication offered by the app, which makes users randomly enter a 6 digit code. This keeps prying eyes away from your sensitive data.”
Along with that "Linked Devices" update, it's also thought that Facebook could finally be readying the launch of a dedicated iPad app.
This has been in development for some time and the release of this application for tablets could coincide with that multiple device launches.
There's also more good news for Apple fans as the latest beta version on iPhone hints that WhatsApp is working to add the ability to individually customise each conversation or group chat within the app.
That means you'll be able to add a different background image for every conversation within the app.
Another new customisation feature available to test in the same beta suggests WhatsApp will allow app users to adjust the brightness of their wallpaper separately from your smartphone display. That means you'll be able to reduce bright colours so they don't over-power the small green chat bubbles (traditionally, the most important parts of any chat app window – jazzy background, or no jazzy background).
According to the prolific team at @WABetaInfo, "This is a big move from WhatsApp, that never allowed to customise specific chats. We hope to see more similar features in future, for example the possibility to choose different auto-download settings in different chats."
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