WhatsApp beta suggests multi-device support is coming soon
WhatsApp may be a massively popular way of keeping on touch with people, but few users would deny that there’s room for improvement in a few areas. Keeping an eye on beta versions of the app is a great way to get an idea of what direction the app is going in, and to get glimpse of upcoming features before they see the light of day.
The latest release – WhatsApp Beta v2.20.110 – includes a couple of tantilizing hints about new features. In addition to the self-destructing messages feature we’d already heard about, this version of the app also includes references to support for multiple devices.
As spotted by WABetaInfo, the self-destructing messages feature appears to have undergone yet another name change. Having previous been known as Disappearing Messages and Delete Messages, WhatsApp is now referring to it as Expiring Messages. The name isn’t all that’s changed here, with the number of options for how long messages will exist before being deleted being reduced. Now users can only select between having message vanish after a day, a week or a month.
But it is support for multiple devices that is more interesting. While the latest beta shows that WhatsApp is busy working on this option, it has not yet been activated and therefore cannot be tested right now.
Multiple device security
Once fully implemented, you’ll be able to use WhatsApp on, for example, your phone and your tablet at the same time. To allay fears that someone else could simply log into your account on their phone without your knowledge or consent, the encryption keys used to secure messages will be changed every time a new device is added, and a notification displayed in the app.
If you want to try out the WhatsApp beta, you’ll have to sign up to the Google Play Beta Program. Right now, there is no more space for new beta testers, but it’s worth checking back every now and then to see if a space has become available, or if more capacity has been added.
Via WABetaInfo
WhatsApp may be a massively popular way of keeping on touch with people, but few users would deny that there’s room for improvement in a few areas. Keeping an eye on beta versions of the app is a great way to get an idea of what direction the app is…
