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Hugely popular messaging service WhatsApp has expanded its reach on to the world wide web with the launch of a brand new web client.
Making the announcement on Facebook (via Engadget), the app’s founder Jan Koum says users will be able to send and receive messages within the desktop Google Chrome browser.
The app syncs messages across platforms meaning all texts and images sent will still live on the phone, but the expansion will make it easier for WhatsApp users to send quick messages when working on their desktop or laptop PC, rather than picking up their phone.
Strangely enough, WhatsApp users on the iPhone can’t get in on the action right now, with Koum citing ‘platform limitations’ yet to be resolved. Those rocking Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone devices are first in the queue for once.
In order to begin using WhatsApp in the Chrome browser, users must scan the on-screen QR code form the mobile app. App patrons must also be continually connected to the internet in order for the desktop app to work, while those same folks must have the newest version of WhatsApp installed on their handsets.
Read more: Six alternatives to WhatsApp
The news comes on the same day WhatsApp decided to lock out all users accessing the service through unauthorised third-party applications like WhatsApp Plus.
Because of data security features, WhatsApp has halted those users access to the service for 24 hours.
WhatsApp says the independent app “contains source code which WhatsApp cannot guarantee as safe and that your private information is potentially being passed to third parties without your knowledge or authorisation."