WhatsApp Web Version Released: Chrome Plugin, Android, Blackberry and Windows Services

WhatsApp has made it known that it is determined to redefine the mobile messaging experience for both mobile phone users and those chained to their desktops and laptops. To achieve this, it has released a plugin for the Chrome browser.

Using the plugin, people will be able to simultaneously chat using their WhatsApp account from their phone, desktop, tablet and laptop. However, the browser-based messaging service is still not available to Apple iPhone users due to "limitations." But the service works on Android, Nokia S60, Blackberry and Windows phones.

WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, has around 700 million users every month. Using the new Chrome browser plugin, users can link their mobile phones with the Web client, which will then allow for creating and reading messages from their laptops or desktops.

To set up the link between their browser and smartphone, a user clicks on a specific link provided by WhatsApp on his tablet, desktop or laptop with the aid of a Chrome browser. A QR code will then be displayed. He can then use his mobile phone to snap a picture of the QR code. After his phone reads the code, it will link up with the web client.

Reporting on the new browser-based messaging option from WhatsApp, The Wall Street Journal said it will be helpful for those who spend most of their day at the desks working in front of their computers as this will allow them to receive messages on their desktops or laptops. Additionally using a computer keyboard to create text messages is much faster than anything that is available on a mobile phone.

Competitors of WhatsApp, especially those in Asia, such as WeChat and Line already have such a service and have implemented it for some time. This means that WhatsApp has some catching up to do if it wants to connect users throughout the world regardless of whether they are using a computer or mobile phone.