WhatsApp UWP app coming; you won't need a phone around

WhatsApp UWP app will give users more control over its features without having their smartphones nearby all the time.

WhatsApp UWP app will come with dozens of new features that will work even when users' phones are not around. (Bloomberg)

WhatsApp, as of now, has the WhatsApp Desktop app users can access from their PCs. WhatsApp Desktop app is a replica of WhatsApp Web, which is the app's web-based interface. It has no additional features and it needs users to keep their smartphones nearby to keep functioning. Back in 2019, reports suggested that the Meta-owned app (earlier Facebook) was working on the new version of its desktop app called the WhatsApp UWP app (Universal Windows Program) that will give users more control over its features without having their smartphones nearby all the time.

Now, Aggiornamenti Lumia (via WABetaInfo) reports that WhatsApp has resumed work on the Universal Windows Platform or UWP app. This new app will come with dozens of new features and functions that users will be able to use even when their smartphones are not around. First, WhatsApp is working on a new Drawing feature that will let users draw, write, scribble on the panel. Users will also be able to send their drawings to the recipient in the form of an image.

In addition to this, with the WhatsApp UWP, it will no longer be necessary to keep the Whatsapp desktop application open to receive notifications. The new version of Whatsapp for Windows will notify users of notifications even when the application is closed.

The new interface will also have a bunch of new settings that will be clubbed under various sub-settings. Here are the new WhatsApp settings:

-- General settings: Users will be able to start WhatsApp by turning on the PC and log out of the account.

-- Account settings: Users will be able to manage their privacy settings and security settings.

-- Chat settings: In the chat section, users will be able to archive all chats, delete all chats or empty conversations among other things.

-- Notifications settings: In the notifications section, users can customise the notification sound based on messages and groups.

-- Memory settings: Users can select which content to download automatically.

-- Help settings: Here, users can see the WhatsApp version and other useful links.

Pause and resume voice recordings

WhatsApp has started rolling out a new feature called WhatsApp beta for iOS 2.21.230.16. This new feature will enable WhatsApp users to pause and resume voice recordings. In the latest update, WhatsApp has added a Pause/Resume button between the Delete and Send buttons while making voice recordings. When users tap the pause icon, they will be able to resume recording the voice note again by pressing the new recording icon.