Whatsapp has announced that it has launched a new desktop app for both Windows and Mac platforms.
With the new app, users can stay in touch with their friends and family, send and receive files and can receive important messages when they can’t reach their phones.
At present, it is not possible to make voice calls over PC, but one can record and send voice messages, video and audio files just like on mobile.
The Desktop version of Whatsapp can run on Windows 8 or higher and Mac OS 10.0 or higher. The app can be downloaded from Whatsapp’s download section.
In last January, Whatsapp released Whatsapp Web, a web browser based extension of Whatsapp on mobile. This app will fully sync with Whatsapp on mobile.
One can send and receive messages on Whatsapp Web and the same can be seen simultaneously on the phone and on the browser.
The Facebook-owned company said in its blog the native Windows and Mac versions will offer better support for notifications and easy to use keyboard shortcuts and more.
Whatsapp is already present not only on Android and iOS, but also on several other platforms including Windows Mobile, Nokia S60, Nokia S40 EVO and BlackBerry and BlackBerry10.
The desktop Whatsapp app is similar to Whatsapp Web, where one can use it while the phone stays in the pocket.
Android Authority says that Whatsapp might introduce other features such as video calling, voice mail and improved file support later this year.
Recently, Whatsapp introduced end-to-end encryption for all messages and files.