- WhatsApp improves its integration with Android Auto and CarPlay to listen to and reply to messages, make calls and check the history hands-free.
- The iPad now allows you to create a standalone account without needing to link it to a phone, although it does require a phone number and verification code.
- The app includes a PDF viewer with Adobe Acrobat tools for highlighting and annotating, available on web and desktop.
- Status updates can now include songs shared directly from Spotify or Apple Music.
Meta has launched a series of new features for WhatsApp that aim to make the app much more than just a simple messenger. The update, announced at the end of July, focuses on Improve the experience in the car, on the tablet, and on the computer...and adding a musical touch to the statuses. All of this is aimed at allowing users to continue using the app without relying exclusively on their mobile device.
The features are being rolled out gradually, so not all of them may be immediately available to every account. However, those with a vehicle compatible with Android Auto or CarPlay, an iPad, or who work with PDF documents will find changes here that will make their daily lives easier. Below, we review the highlights.
WhatsApp gets a car update
The integration of WhatsApp with car infotainment systems has taken a significant leap forward. Now, you can use it directly from the car's screen. Listen to and respond to messages, make calls, check your communication history, and access your favorite contacts.All this without needing to touch the phone, as it can be controlled via voice commands or the steering wheel buttons.
Until now, the Android Auto and CarPlay experience was limited to basic text messaging. With this update, Meta wanted to give more prominence to calls and... organizing contacts and calls in WhatsAppso the driver can keep their attention on the road. The company has worked with its partners to make the interface intuitive and safe, minimizing distractions.
These improvements are available to both iPhone users with CarPlay and those using Android Auto. However, the vehicle and system must be compatible, and the app must be updated to the latest version.
The iPad gains independence
Another of the most anticipated new features is the possibility of Create a WhatsApp account directly from your iPadwithout having to link it to a primary phone. Until now, the Apple tablet app only worked as a companion device, requiring a pre-set account on a smartphone.
With this change, users can download WhatsApp on their iPad, enter their phone number, and receive a verification code to complete registration. Once registered, the account functions independently, with its own conversations and settings. This is especially useful for those who use their iPad as their primary communication device or for those who prefer not to rely on their mobile phone.
The feature addresses a long-standing demand since WhatsApp officially launched on the iPad last year. While a phone number is still required for verification, the experience is now more autonomous and allows Hide your phone number using usernames.
PDF editing and music in the states
The update also brings changes in the areas of productivity and entertainment. For one, WhatsApp has integrated a PDF document viewer developed in collaboration with Adobe Acrobat. Now, when receiving a PDF file in a chat, you can Open directly within the application, highlight text, add annotations, and draw on the document. without needing to download it or use external programs.
This feature is currently available on WhatsApp Web and the desktop version. Password-protected documents can also be opened, and everything remains protected by end-to-end encryption. For more advanced editing, such as signing or rearranging pages, there's an option to open the file in Acrobat, although some of those tools require a paid subscription.
On the other hand, WhatsApp statuses now allow Share songs directly from Spotify or Apple MusicSimply select the song in your music app and choose the option to share it on WhatsApp. The status will display the song, and your contacts will be able to see what you're listening to. This feature brings the app closer to social media and is something many users have been requesting to avoid having to take screenshots.
These new features join others that WhatsApp has been adding in recent months, such as usernames and the WhatsApp Plus subscription plan. The company makes it clear that its intention is to transform the application into a multi-device platform that accompanies the user in the car, at home, and at work.
However, these features are already being rolled out. If you don't see them yet, don't worry: they'll most likely arrive on your account in the coming days. Keep the app updated, and when they appear, you'll be able to enjoy a much more complete experience without leaving WhatsApp.