WhatsApp has recently introduced a standalone app tailored for Wear OS smartwatches, offering users the convenience of initiating new chats, continuing existing conversations, and making internet calls directly from their wrist, without requiring the phone. The announcement regarding the launch of WhatsApp for Wear OS was made by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in his Instagram broadcast. This new smartwatch app is now being made available to users worldwide.
The compatibility of the new app extends to smartwatches powered by Wear OS 3, which includes Samsung Galaxy smartwatches. Earlier this year, Google offered a sneak peek of the Wear OS application for WhatsApp at the Google I/O event and also released a beta version for developers. Through Wear OS 3, third-party applications gain the ability to deliver enriched user experiences, and WhatsApp adeptly capitalizes on this capability.
WhatsApp users now have the seamless ability to commence new dialogues, reply to ongoing conversations, and accept VoIP calls, all without tethering their smartwatch to a phone. Nonetheless, in the absence of cellular connectivity on the smartwatch, a phone with Bluetooth is required to establish an internet connection. Furthermore, WhatsApp’s Wear OS application facilitates the dispatch and receipt of voice messages.
This strategic move by WhatsApp could give Google’s smartwatch platform a competitive edge over Apple’s watchOS, especially concerning native third-party app support. While watchOS lacks a standalone WhatsApp app, Wear OS now provides a more comprehensive experience for its users. On an Apple Watch, users are limited to viewing notifications and replying to messages on WhatsApp, with internet calling and initiating conversations being unavailable.
Despite the limited third-party app support, Apple Watches continue to dominate smartwatch sales globally. However, with the introduction of WhatsApp’s new smartwatch app, Google aims to attract potential smartwatch buyers who have a wide array of options in the market. Although an iPhone user may find a Wear OS smartwatch less appealing, Android users have the flexibility to choose smartwatches with customized software. As the smartwatch industry evolves, WhatsApp’s new app could play a significant role in Google’s quest for a larger market share.