Filed under: iPhone, iPod touch, First Look, App Review
First Look: WhatsApp
There's a lot of buzz about iPhone IM clients.Other applications have gotten a lot of coverage for allowing iPhones to chat from their AOL, Google, ICQ, Jabber or a host of other screen names.WhatsApp [iTunes Link] is different, calling itself an "iPhone-to-iPhone chat application" that provides direct messaging between iPhones. The application features push notifications and provides functionality similar to SMS.
So why bother trying it? The app makes it easy to chat with other iPhones with no need for screen names, logging in and out or the added cost of text messaging and cellular charges. It's a lot like an iPhone version of Blackberry's popular messaging service. You'll also quickly and easily be able to point out which of your contacts have WhatsApp installed. Even if you're offline, your messages will be saved until you're back online.
Other cool features include the ability to "Broadcast" or send a message to multiple users, emailing of your chat history and sound and visual badges to show your unread message count. Users can also see when their friends are typing as well as the last time they checked their messages.
WhatsApp is free "for a limited time" so head on over to the App Store and grab it.
Here's a few shots of the app in action:
Gallery: WhatsApp
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Christian said 1:04PM on 11-16-2009
So... it's just like Ping, then?
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Raul Riera said 2:04PM on 11-16-2009
It's actually better (no registration and a cleaner UI) but the good thing is that the guys are also working on a version for BlackBerry to remove the gap between the 2 phones
Appy said 1:10PM on 11-16-2009
TUAW is so behind with the times nowadays...this is basically just like Ping
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Chris said 1:12PM on 11-16-2009
Wow, this is aweso....oh wait. It's Blackberry Messenging for the iPhone. Stupid.
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mjcostajr said 1:18PM on 11-16-2009
It's better than Ping - it doesn't require you to create a new user ID or find other friends using the app - it uses your number and adds friends automatically. I've deleted Ping after using this app.
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totoro said 2:47PM on 11-16-2009
Sorry, but "better" in this case is pretty subjective. Some of us prefer to have better control over who has the ability to contact us thru something as intrusive as messaging.
I'll wait to see what all the privacy issues are before subjecting everyone in my address book :p
Paul said 1:20PM on 11-16-2009
The difference between this and Ping is that there is no separate ID. It just uses your phone number. You launch the app and it already shows you all the people in your contact list that have WhatsApp installed. No need to know their ID. It's a no-brainer.
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Gary Fung said 1:28PM on 11-16-2009
@Author John Burke and above posters: Did everyone missed the recent news where phone numbers can potentially be misused? Might want to warn users that this app retrieves your phone number...
http://gizmodo.com/5370323/iphone-app-developer-jacks-your-phone-number-to-pitch-you-more-apps
http://boingboing.net/2009/11/05/iphone-game-dev-accu.html
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timbo said 1:48PM on 11-16-2009
Might want to warn users that this is a Dev from a competing app (Ping!).
They only appear to use your email address (if ever): http://beta.whatsapp.com/client_legal/index.php
p.s. I don't use either app. I think they are pointless and just bloatware for the phone. SMS, MMS or Email. Done.
p.p.s. This article is late.
Nazim Jamil said 1:33PM on 11-16-2009
Hold on, why don't you just use email...or direct message via Twitter?
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Eric said 1:47PM on 11-16-2009
Agreed. This app appears to have serious contact harvesting issues. I just hope that no one that has me in their address book uses this app. I certainly won't be using it.
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PJ said 2:46PM on 11-16-2009
Harvesting issues and vulnerabilities? Please post a reputable link to corroborate. Sorry, your word alone won't convince anyone.
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Simon said 3:00PM on 11-16-2009
You should check out the one that is soon coming out called iMessenger at http://imessengerapp.com. Seems like it does everything!
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camkevbell said 3:43PM on 11-16-2009
Works good for me. My wife and I text a lot and this will keep us from going over our 200 text limit again. I'll update if there's any noticeable downsides.
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philasan said 4:46PM on 11-16-2009
I'm really really surprised this app made it through the approval process! Just look at the icon, not to mention all the cool features! Definitely good news, and a good sign.
btw, i'm loving the app, just wish there was a feature to send SMS to non-iphone users without any workarounds
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nard said 5:07PM on 11-16-2009
You guys should check out Flow Messenger as well. It has great features like Group conversations, contact list management, custom usernames/statuses and read message receipts. It has all the features I need that I couldnt find in Ping or WhatsApp. http://www.flowmessenger.com
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Thomas Baltruschat said 8:06PM on 11-16-2009
There is also Messi.im, send pictures, locations and soon videos. Doesn't use either phone numbers or email addresses. You can use any username.
http://messi.im
Steve said 2:52AM on 11-17-2009
I installed this today and my battery died before 24 hours was up for the first time ever. Is this thing sucking battery juice or is this just a coincidence??
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Ves said 6:15AM on 11-17-2009
The Push function is really sucking the battery. But I encountered that with all apps including Push.