In 2023, WhatsApp launched a new version of its macOS app that was completely rebuilt from square one. Although users could still use the old Electron-based WhatsApp, Meta has now confirmed that it will soon stop operations and shut down.
According to WABetaInfo, those who are still using the old WhatsApp app for Mac are now being notified that it will no longer be available in 54 days. Meta stated that users should download the new version either from the WhatsApp website or the Mac App Store.
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New WhatsApp For macOS Built Using Catalyst Tech
The report suggests: “As you can see from the attached screenshot, users of the Electron app on Mac are now being notified that this app will no longer be available in 54 days. To maintain access to WhatsApp on a desktop computer, they are encouraged to switch to the new Catalyst app, which will preserve all their chats and contacts.”
The new WhatsApp for macOS is built using Catalyst technology, which uses the iPhone app as a base and runs natively on the system. An Electron app, on the other hand, is essentially a web running on the computer, which means it has worse performance and some other limitations.
Some users have opted to continue using the Electron app since the new WhatsApp for macOS was released without some important features. However, over the last year, Meta was able to bring most of the missing features to the new app. WhatsApp is available without a cost on the Mac App Store, and it requires a Mac running macOS 11 or later. Meta is said to be working on an iPad version, although the release date remains to be seen.
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Meta AI On WhatsApp Could Soon Get ‘Voice Chat’ Mode
WhatsApp has witnessed a lot of changes ever since Meta AI integrated into the personal messaging app. Now, the app could be in for even more changes with a new update for Meta AI that could provide the AI chatbot with a voice chat mode, according to a report by WABetaInfo.
As per the report, Meta AI on WhatsApp could soon get a new ‘voice chat’ mode, enabling users to better communicate with the chatbot and personalize their interactions. The feature was first spotted by WABetaInfo on WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.18.18 update seen on the Google Play Store and could soon make its way to the stable version of the app.
The new voice chat mode will enable users to have real-time conversations with Meta AI using voice commands. The new feature is said to result in faster, more natural, and more efficient conversations with Meta AI, as speaking is faster than typing. Meta AI will reportedly have the ability to answer a user’s query in a selected voice, which users can change as per their preference.