Since its launch in 2009, WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging platforms globally. It comes up with regular updates to make the app more user-friendly, and its latest update has given it access to Apple’s CarPlay system.
Apple’s CarPlay is an in-car connectivity system that allows the user to use Siri integration to operate certain apps even when driving. While the apps on CarPlay can be customized, it only allows Apple’s audio apps. However, WhatsApp’s version 2.18.20 has made it a new entrant to this in-car connectivity system. As soon as a user updates the app, the WhatsApp icon will appear in the CarPlay menu once it has been connected to the iPhone. The user can choose to listen to unread messages or send new texts by clicking the icon.
Apple’s Siri will make a list of unread messages and read them out aloud immediately as the user receives a new text. He can also send a new text by first indicating the person to whom the text needs to be sent and then dictating the text to Siri. Siri will then read out the dictated text for confirmation, which can be edited or sent directly by the user. WhatsApp’s ability to work with multitasking in CarPlay enables it to replace the Phones or Messages app.
While all these new features have made WhatsApp quite handy, the update also has its drawbacks. For one, the user cannot browse through a list of chat conversations, an option conveniently made available by Apple’s iMessage.
WhatsApp’s latest update also features a ‘Mentions’ button in group conversations to view listings in large groups quickly and a ‘search’ option to search for contact details in a group.
