IOS - WhatsApp Web?

v1ct0r wrote:

It is this sort of arrogance, ignorance, reality distortion field that leads to believe that iMessage is really all every Apple user ever needs or that Apple Maps is a better alternative than Google Maps.

If Apple does care about its users, they should fix this shortcoming in future releases and working with WhatsApp is the only way to go about it. The entire marketplace bar the Apple community views this as a weakness of the iOS platform.

That's some pretty stunning arrogance, assuming you speak for the entire "Apple Community". This iPhone user does not care if that a web interface wor Whatsapp even exists.

What do you think is the business case for Apple to (even if they could) make it possible to use iOS with Whatsapp's web interface? Do you truly think there is a huge number of people out there thinking, "Wow, I'd buy an iPhone except for the fact I can't access Whatsapp from my computer?" Do you think there are enough of them to justify any delelopment expenses Apple migh incur?

Before you attempt to school me in software engineering let me ask you this:

Worldwide, WhatsApp has probably about 70% of their growing users base (Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, Nokia) who have been happily using their service on mobile and desktop with their current implementation. Do you think they are going to invest time and money re-engineering the entire system for the declining 30%?

For PR's sake they mentioned they are working on a desktop version exclusive for iOS users with an unknown release date - it could be anywhere between tomorrow to never. If Apple were to work together with WhatsApp this could be accomplished faster. Of course this has to be done without any compromises for both parties - that goes without saying. Apple and WhatsApp have to work together just like how Apple worked with Facebook, Twitter, and other developers to get their services integrated into the platform as it would allow Apple to implement the service securely with a good user experience. Again the end result is iOS users gain access to this functionality.

The reality is nobody cares "how software programming works", the technicalities, or who should bend over for whom. The majority of users just want things to just work - isn't that an Apple motto?

No, I am not speaking for the Apple Community, I am speaking based on the available options on the said platform. Your reply just reinforces my point.

Seriously you would be surprised. Apple made deals with Game Publishers and App Developers for the sake of securing titles exclusively for the iPhone before every other platform. Studies have shown that they do influence buying power. Yes we are talking about a feature here not really an app but a pretty big feature. Just imagine if you didn't have iMessage on the desktop - that is the current situation for WhatsApp users on iOS.

You would truly speak about growing user base and Blackberry is the same sentence? That just threw your credibility right out the window. Then you mention working together, which is what everyone here has mentioned, and Whatsapp is not working. Then a comment about iMessage on the desktop. I use a Windows computer, I do not have access to iMessage on my desktop and I can still communicate just as effectively and efficiently. Your argument that it is Apple's fault does not hold water.

v1ct0r wrote:

Just imagine if you didn't have iMessage on the desktop - that is the current situation for WhatsApp users on iOS.

Not a big deal at all. I'd really prefer to use SMS exclusively as it is a lowest common denominator system. People don't even need smart phones for it to work. I rarely use iMessages on my Mac.

Meg St._Clair wrote:

... I rarely use iMessages on my Mac.

I don't think I ever have. But as far as the original topic goes, I've never been tempted to use WhatsApp. No point. I have iMessage and unlimited SMS with my carrier.

And of course what WhatsApp refers to as a "platform limitation" (see OP) most of us probably call security.

Kilgore-Trout wrote:

Meg St._Clair wrote:

... I rarely use iMessages on my Mac.

I don't think I ever have. But as far as the original topic goes, I've never been tempted to use WhatsApp. No point. I have iMessage and unlimited SMS with my carrier.

And of course what WhatsApp refers to as a "platform limitation" (see OP) most of us probably call security.

I sort of see the point of services like WhatsApp and Viber if you're texting internationally with people who don't have iPhones. But, I really don't if one is primarily communicating domestically. One more layer of unnecessary complication. For international, I use Skype. It has a perfectly good desktop app, not just a website that requires you have your phone nearby (something for WhatsApp to consider?) And one could always, I suppose stoop to using FB messenger. It's certainly not as if there aren't options. But, again, I shy away from anything that requires my recipient to sign up for something else.

pepi75 wrote:

Heard about Telegram? It's fully integrated with iOS notifications and has a Web and Desktop client. Works perfectly. So the "technical" reasons Whatsapp developers are giving are not so technical.

I have no idea. I don't use any of them on a regular basis.

Safari may never get the app, even in OS X. Reportedly, WhatsApp web works only in Googel Chrome! What kind of developer designs a web app that only works on a single browser - what are we back to the 1990s of web applications?

As far as iOS goes, WhatsApp web requires background multitasking, and also seems to require some highly restrictive implementations of push technologies Some of the tech press quotes from WhatsApp engineers actually indicates that it could indeed be available for iOS, with some design changes, but the developers claim it would be a bad user experience for iOS users and so they have not released an iOS version.

At least from the few articles I read it sounds more like rushed programming limitations to get a product out quickly, and not anything inherently to do with iOS.

I'm gonna chime in here because it seems you're a bit off the mark. It seems more like arrogance on Whatsapp's front that they fail to provide the web interface for iOS users. As already mentioned there are many other chat apps out there that offer a full multi-platform experience with no trouble. Why should Apple pander to Whatsapp to address these so-called "limitations" that they seem strangely reluctant to elaborate upon? Like it or not iOS is a very secure and stable platform and we know it's possible to get the features and capabilities these apps require on it.

I can only say that it's disappointing that WhatsApp is the dominant messaging app given its limitations. I guess being an early-mover gave it the advantage. We should hopefully see a move to superior services like Telegram should WhatsApp fail to keep up.

This isn't the only problem. I don't see why WhatsApp can't make an AppStore app called WhatsApp Web that just connects to the phone. There is no way I can access my WhatsApp from my iPad. They seem to think they're running a monopoly.

Agreed! It requires both users to have the app, another app to take care of, when Messages does all you need. And I second the part about complaints. I responded to a thread the other day about issues with trying to get the web client on an iOS device too. It is way more trouble than it is worth.

DarthKazi wrote:

The thing is everyone uses it and it's not easy to change habits.

I don't.

How frequently an app is downloaded says nothing about how much it's used. Heck, I've downloaded WhatsApp. I looked at it, realized no one I know uses it and deleted it.

And, it's currently number 18 in the App Store, 13 in the Play Store (U.S).

Very well could be. However, that still does not change the fact that I have seen a large number of complaints about the program, and the fact that I have also witnessed people reporting how bad their support is. If it works for you, I'm glad, but I don't need it or want it.

DarthKazi wrote:

Ah so that's what it is. You all are American. It's pretty standard in the UK.

Irrelevant, really. While I have unlimited domestic texting, international texting still quite expensive. And I do communicate with people outside my home country. My choice for that is Skype. Most people I know use it. I wouldn't presume to say "everyone" uses it, though. I also use Twitter DM. On rare occasions I use Messenger (FB) on occasion (it's much higher than Whatsapp on the top apps list) or Google hangouts.

The larger points are that, hyperbole doesn't serve much useful purpose in a technical support forum and there are lots and lots of options.