WhatsApp has released an official app for Wear OS 3. This means that users will be able to use the instant messaging platform right from their Wear OS-powered smartwatches. However, the functionality is currently in the beta stage and only accessible to beta testers of the Android app. Some of the smartwatches powered by Wear OS 3 include Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and 6 series, Pixel Watch, Fossil Gen 6 etc.
WhatsApp for Wear OS lets users message from smartwatch
WhatsApp for Wear OS 3 is available with the latest beta version 2.23.10.10 for Android. Users who are interested in trying can join and become a beta tester here. Additionally, both the phone and watch should have the app version 2.23.10.10 or later. To set up the app, users have to enter an eight-digit code from their watch into the phone app. Then the chats will sync across devices safely which will also be end-to-end encrypted.
The WhatsApp for Wear OS offers all the necessary features including the ability to send messages directly from the wrist. However, there’s no option to start a new chat if the user has never sent a message to the WhatsApp contact before. The Wear OS app shows a simple list of recent contacts, a settings menu, and more. There are two tiles for WhatsApp Contacts’ to jump to a contact and the ‘WhatsApp Voice Message’ tile lets the user quickly start recording a voice message.
The WhatsApp for Wear OS app also lets users to scroll through old conversations. Users can reply to messages using voice messages or a system keyboard. Scrolling through group chats will display ‘People in this conversation’.
The WhatsApp for Wear OS app is expected to get a stable version in the coming weeks. It seems like a great option to quickly send a message from the wrist instead of reaching for a smartphone.
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