What App? WhatsApp

Posted by:     Tags:  , , , , , ,     Posted date:  September 20, 2009  |  37 Comments


September 20, 2009


Yes, it’s a very (very!) strange name for an app. Based on all the recent controversy with apps being accepted or denied in Apple’s App Store, I’m seriously surprised that WhatsApp was approved. After all, it bypasses the iPhone’s sms app completely. You could, conceivably, get rid of your text messaging plan altogether, and just use WhatsApp.

So what exactly is WhatsApp? The short version – it’s the iPhone’s answer to Blackberry Messenger. You can send messages to, and receive messages from all your contacts who also have WhatsApp installed on their iPhones. It’s really very clever, and works seamlessly with your contacts. If five of your contacts already have WhatsApp, when you install it, they will automatically show up in your favorites on WhatsApp.

IMG_0176

Did I mention that it pushes status notifications instantly? That means that not only is your “chat” instant, and a perfect imitation of sms messaging, you can get real time status updates for your WhatsApp contacts.

Did you ever wonder why someone hasn’t replied to your text? Just check his status in WhatsApp to see why. (This does, of course, assume that your contacts remember to set their status!)

Of course, if you don’t want everyone to see your status, that is also an option. The iPhone adopts that concept of Synergy with WhatsApp in that it can automatically update your contacts once they are linked IMG_0177within WhatsApp. It’s a beautiful thing.

While you don’t have to automatically have your WhatsApp contacts added to your Favorites, there is really no compelling reason not to do so. Besides, it’s really a kick to see your contacts just appear there one after another as they install WhatsApp!

The only setting that I’m not crazy about is the Facebook integration for your status. It seems overkill (at least to me) to broadcast one or two word status changes. I did have to check it out, and after getting an absurd number of dumb comments on my “availability,” I disconnected from Facebook. (Disconnecting from Facebook is not a bad proposition in general now that I think about it!)IMG_0179

There are a variety of pre-set status defaults. As you can see, you can delete, add, or edit them as you see fit. I don’t need “At work” and “At school” (since they’re the same for me), so I changed the former to “Podcasting – shhhhhh!”

IMG_0181The chat itself has the look and feel of sending a text message. Again, I am really surprised that Apple approved this app as it certainly duplicates a feature of the iPhone. It is a little nicer though, because you can set the background. As with the status messages, they supplied a few basic backgrounds, or you can choose something from your camera roll. or photo library.

There is both an audible tone and a vibrate to alert you to incoming messages. The tones are different if you are in the app and if your iPhone is asleep (where it sounds a lot like AIM).

Another feature that I thought was pretty neat is the addition of a contact photo to the chat list (as well as a tiny picture within a chat) if there is one attached to the contact.

IMG_0178IMG_0180Somehow I picked up a photo of Michael Manna during a Google contact sync, and now it shows up inside WhatsApp.

The Favorites view shows you status messages for your contacts who have bothered to set one.

While you can currently use WhatsApp only to chat between iPhone users, you can initiate a “regular” SMS, phone call, or email to anyone in your contacts list from within WhatsApp. I also noticed the first contact in my WhatsApp favorites is not an iPhone user at all. Rather he is a renegade Blackberry user with the Blackberry WhatsApp version! You can see this Blackberry user’s status, and send him a traditional sms, just as though he were on an iPhone. Hopefully, there will be an update to WhatsApp in the near future that allows iPhone and Blackberry users to chat together, despite separate platforms.

As it turns out, WhatsApp will even connect users in different countries (can’t do that without spending a fortune on sms!). Last night I connected with a friend in Guam, and this morning saw a friend in the UK pop up on my WhatsApp favorites.

Hurry to the App Store and get WhatsApp now while it’s FREE. If I’m not already in your contacts, drop me a note – let’s chat!

 




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37 Comments for What App? WhatsApp
Tweets that mention What App? WhatsApp | Just Another Geek Site -- Topsy.com

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Steve. Steve said: RT @Alli_Flowers: New blog post: http://tinyurl.com/n8wqw6 – What App? WhatsApp [...]

kathryn

Whatsapp app was not available on whatsapp.com for blackberries or on blackberry app world. When will this be avialable again for blackberries!?

Alli Flowers

According to the developer, it’s in final beta now, and should be available for BB very soon. :)

Rachel

A simple question, Im rally comfortable with whatsapp but there ate some contacts I’d like to erase because I never see them, not interested in their status!
will they know if someone erases them from their contact list in whatsapp? or is it like other chat apps where if you erase someone he will not notice because you’ll still appear as his contact?
Thanks!

Alli Flowers

As far as I can tell, the contact won’t notice. You might want to send a tweet to the developers – they’re pretty responsive.

Sue Buckle

I downloaded WhatsApp yesterday and am very happy with it. However, I am now getting emails from Facebook on my `phone, as well as my computer, which I’d rather not have.
How do I disable this bit?
Thanks in advance.
Sue

Alli Flowers

I don’t believe one has anything to do with the other. There are no settings in WhatsApp to hook into Facebook.

Simon

I am using whatsapp on my iphone 3G..problem is that when somene sent me a message using whatsapp, it does not pop up. I know that whatsup on 3GS do popup even when whatsapp is not on? Any suggestion?

Alli Flowers

Are you getting all your push notifications for other apps?

Meredith

I am using Iphone 3GS and i’ve downloaded whatsapp for 3 times now. I love the app but somehow it doesnt pop-up like everyone elses. Im using the same settings as my friend who also has 3gs. Can anyone help me plz?
Thx Meredith

Alli Flowers

Hi Meredith,

Have you tried removing WhatsApp completely from your iPhone and reinstalling? Remove it first (hold down the icon until it jiggles, then press the x until it goes away), then sync your iPhone to your computer to wipe out all memory of it having been there. Then download it again and set it up from scratch.

amanda

Is there anyway to have the “D” and “R” for “delievered” and “read” like the blackberry messenger has? I only have two checks that show up and i read that it’s only to show that its been sent to the server and sent to the wireless device, not to show if the message has actually been read.

Alli Flowers

You might want to send an email or tweet to the devs – they’re pretty responsive.

gettoyou

i want to know when i am online and chatting with one person dose everyone in my list will know that i am or only the person i am chatting with? please advise.

Alli Flowers

You have to be in a chat window to see if someone is online, but anyone can.

Alan

When I see a friend “online” and they are not responding to text messages does this mean that they are busy texting with another and don’t see my texts? If they are busy texting with another would I see “typing” and know to try back later? If I leave the app open on my blackberry will it continue to show that I am”‘online” ? Please advise.

Mel

If I send a message on Whatsapp (on iPhone 3G) and only one tick is shown for many hours as the recipiant is overseas if I press edit and delete the message will the person still receive it? Is it only deleted from my screen or does it retract the message and won’t be sent?

Alli Flowers

That’s one for the developer to answer. But I would imagine once that one tick is shown for delivered, it doesn’t matter if the recipient has read it or not. Kinda like rescinding email.

Hayley Miller

Hi,
I use whatsapp on the sony erricison vivaz. And before i havent had any issues with it, but recently, i only get 1 tick instead of the double tick that it usually has. I have un-installed and re-installed the programme and yet it doesn’t work. I’ve only just experienced these issues. What do i need to do ?

Alli Flowers

Could be a server issue, but no way of knowing if it’s on your end or their end. You might try contacting the developer.

Hayley Miller

how do i contact the developer?

Rhonda

when I go into my whatsapp on my blackberry I get a message saying “uncaught exception:java.lang.NullPointerException”. what does that mean and what should I do?

Alli Flowers

Seriously, dude. See the url in my last reply? Contact the developer.

calin

In Whatsapp can you tell me what it actually means if you look at a chat with someone and there is a message in the window saying that they are “online”? Does this mean they are actually in the application and using it or does it just mean that there phone is on and they have a network connection? I am confused between the message that someone is “online” and the one that says they were “last seen at XX.XX”.

calin

how long does it take for a comment to be moderated?

Alli Flowers

Usually no time at all. You posted at midnight when most people are asleep. Funny thing about approving comments – I can’t do it in my sleep.

calin

I didn’t mean to offend you but i was talking about my previous comment
n Whatsapp can you tell me what it actually means if you look at a chat with someone and there is a message in the window saying that they are “online”? Does this mean they are actually in the application and using it or does it just mean that there phone is on and they have a network connection? I am confused between the message that someone is “online” and the one that says they were “last seen at XX.XX”.
Much appreciaded

Alli Flowers

Hi Colin, It does mean that they have WhatsApp open if it shows them as Online. Last seen is the last time they opened WhatsApp.

debbie

I have two numbers and want to completely delete whats app from one of my numbers. but when i delete app on my blackberry, i still appear on my contacts and they can still send messages. want to totally deactivate whats app from my blackberry number.

Alli Flowers

Seriously, y’all need to contact the developer. I did a review of an app I happen to like. I don’t represent them, I don’t work for them, I don’t do tech support for them, and if you have questions about the app, they are the ones you need to contact.

I’m not even going to approve any further comments asking for support.

Hi,

Is it true that WHATSAPP send a message to all your contacts to propose them to use this application ?

Also, what’s the interest of this application ?

It seems that the only interesting thing is that it can contact anyone in your contacts list even if they don’t have MSN, Gtalk, AIM, Yahoo messenger, or any other messenger ?

So how people will be contacted if they have no messenger and haven’t installed Whatsapp ? Will they get an email or SMS ?

Because if they really need to install Whatsapp it’s quite useless, they could rather install any ther messenger or use Gtalk that is core on eveyr android phone, right ?

Please tell me more !

Thanks.

pepe

messages are only received by people with whatsapp installed…i think the author was on drugs when he wrote the article because it’s available for every smartphone in the market you it’s basically a cross platform bbm…it’s quite useful as it doesn’t require a log in, it’s in fact just like receiving an sms, as long as your phone is on and conected to the internet (via 3g or wifi) you’ll be able to send and receive messages…

anon

I have a sony xperia x10 mini pro and i wanted to know if there was a way to view someone’s full status because i can only see the status up until the edge of the screen..

Princessraquel7

I think one of my contacts has changed their phone number… I sent a message on WhatsApp and shown as gone through just not read… Will they would of received? Is it connected to the phone or the mobile number? Thank you

Marthiehuysamen

PLEASE HELP.How do I permently DELETE a contact on my whatsup.

FrogMN60

I have WhatsApp on my SPRINT HTC EVO 4G and keep getting charged for messages sent to a friend in the UK. EVERYONE seems to say including WhatsApp that this is impossible because they use my data connection which I hav unlimited free with sprint so how can I keep getting charged for messages to the UK? I’ve argued with Sprint several times and WhatsApp simply tells me in can’t be happening because it’s not SMS. I insist Sprint is somehow intercepting my messages going to WhatsApps servers and thus charging me for something that should be free. ANY help would be appreciated because I’ve been going round with Sprint for weeks. Somehting I can confront Sprint with or WhgatsAPP.