whatsapp

Good news for WhatsApp users, an upcoming update will greatly enhance user experience of the popular messenger app and we have the full details.

Currently in beta, the last version is 2.9.69 and the team looks to be aiming for a 3.0 release in the near future. Head past the break for all the exciting specifics!

WhatsApp, the popular cross-platform messaging service, has stated that it's not currently in discussions with Google to sell the company for $1 billion. Contrary to what recent rumours, Neeraj Arora, business development head at WhatsApp has informed AllThingsD that the company isn't actively looking to hold sales talks with Google and the rumours are not valid. We ran the rumour only yesterday, which relies on an inside source of Digital Trends, stating a deal was on the horizon.

It looks like Nokia and Whatsapp are continuing to chug along, building up and refining the super popular messenger client for Windows Phone. Details of beta 2.9.6 and 2.9.7 have been revealed on the site PocketPC.ch and while not revelatory (nor final), they at least show some very minor changes scheduled.

First we should note that we don’t know what the release goal is for version numbers. It’s clear that WhatsApp have a few “betas” planned, adding features as they proceed, but it is not clear if 2.9.7 will be the one released to the Store or they are aiming for a “3.0” release.

WhatsApp has only just been updated to version 2.9.2 and the team has already released another patch. Looking at version 2.9.3, WhatsApp for Windows Phone has had yet more improvements implemented on top of what was added the other day, which saw the app sport lock screen integration, backup functionality and some UI enhancements. So what's new in this release?

A joint investigation by Canadian and Dutch officials has determined that popular mobile messaging program WhatsApp violates privacy laws of both countries. The problem is that the application, which lets users text each other over the internet in order to circumvent carrier texting charges, requires users to grant it access to their entire address book and not just the contacts who use it.

Microsoft engineered Windows Phone to be social and communicative from the get go, with Windows Phone 8 they have pushed that concept even further. Aside from Rooms, Emails, Text Messages and Social networks there are other ways to chat with your friends. One of those ways it to use the free IM app called WhatsApp, a messaging platform that has gained fairly widespread adoption.

We reported a few days ago on an imminent update and good news is that they have just pushed out version 2.8.10 onto the Windows Phone Store. This will update existing Windows Phone 7.x devices whilst also bringing Windows Phone 8 compatibility to the table.

Rumors are circulating that Facebook is looking to purchase instant messaging mavens WhatsApp. No pricing of the acquisition or even confirmation of talks have been revealed, but TechCrunch seems convinced that something is brewing between the two companies.

Facebook famously bought Instagram for $1B not too long ago, although that number is mostly reflected in now devalued stock options. It’s not clear why Facebook would buy WhatsApp but there are a few possibilities, including augmenting or even gutting the unreliable Facebook Chat and there is of course the legion of WhatsApps users (who never fail to tell us there is an update for the app on Windows Phone, more on the below).

Missing or just hiding?

We’ve continued to document the small issues plaguing the Windows Phone Store as of late and we want to clear up one that we’re getting a lot of tips on: missing apps.

The issue comes up when you try to search for certain apps, namely Facebook, Groupon and WhatsApp for some of you. In short, they’re missing from search results and therefore you can’t download them.

But we should point out that all of the direct-links to those apps still work and will allow you to download the program. In fact, we’ll list the direct links for you down below.

Getting a tiny bump

WhatsApp is one of those services that people love to hate on Windows Phone. It seems people use it because everyone else does, thereby making them accomplice to any ongoing issues the app may be having.

Such is the case with the last few updates from the WhatsApp team. Going by the frequent user feedback from you folks, it is evidently slow and crashes (we use Kik so our recent experience is more limited with WhatsApp).