Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced the launch of WhatsApp's standalone app for smartwatches running Google’s Wear OS. After months of anticipation and beta testing, this app is finally rolling out for users worldwide, enhancing the Wear OS experience.
The new WhatsApp app, compatible with smartwatches running Wear OS 3, allows users to start new conversations, reply to messages, and make VoIP calls without the necessity of a connected phone. This app enables users to send and receive text and voice messages, as well as emojis and quick replies, right from their wrist.
quick-reply from the wrist?⌚️ yes plshttps://t.co/w9h7ddYqGX
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) July 19, 2023
Google first unveiled the upcoming WhatsApp’s Wear OS app at its developer-focused I/O conference in May. The app, initially launched as a beta version, was expected to be publicly available shortly after the conference. Google also used this event to showcase improved Wear OS apps from third-party companies like Spotify and Peloton, along with updates to Google's own apps such as Google Home, Gmail, and Calendar.
In contrast to Wear OS, Apple’s watchOS does not currently offer a standalone WhatsApp app, limiting Apple Watch users to a less comprehensive experience. While Apple does allow incoming message notifications and responses via the Apple Watch's screen, native options to send messages or make calls via WhatsApp through the smartwatch are missing.
Despite this lack of comprehensive WhatsApp support, the Apple Watch continues to hold a dominant position in the overall smartwatch market. However, Google is striving to challenge this dominance by improving Wear OS and bringing on board new manufacturers and apps. At the I/O keynote, Google announced that Wear OS is the fastest-growing smartwatch platform globally, showing five-fold growth since the release of Wear OS 3 in 2021. This introduction of a standalone WhatsApp app is another significant step towards this goal.
