WhatsApp rolls out CarPlay, Android Auto upgrades, and iPad sign-ups
▼ Summary
– WhatsApp is rolling out new features, including an improved CarPlay and Android Auto experience, to become a more complete cross-device communication platform.
– Users can now sign up for WhatsApp directly from their iPad, creating a standalone account without needing to link to a phone.
– The CarPlay and Android Auto update allows users to hear and reply to messages, view call history, and access favorite contacts, expanding beyond just composing messages.
– Users can share songs from Apple Music or Spotify directly to WhatsApp Status, and open PDFs within the app to highlight and annotate without downloading.
– Recent updates also include usernames for sharing profiles without phone numbers, and a WhatsApp Plus subscription plan with extra features.
WhatsApp is expanding beyond its mobile roots with a fresh batch of features designed to make the app a more robust cross-device communication platform. The Meta-owned company is rolling out enhanced experiences for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside new capabilities for iPad users and richer media sharing.
The most notable upgrade comes for drivers. While WhatsApp was already accessible in CarPlay, it was largely limited to composing messages and making calls. Now, users can hear and reply to messages, view their call history, and access favorite contacts directly through their vehicle’s infotainment system. This makes hands-free communication far more seamless and practical.
iPad users are also getting a significant boost. Since launching a dedicated iPad app last year, many have requested the ability to sign up for WhatsApp directly on the tablet without needing a phone link. That wish is now granted. Users can register for a standalone account right from the iPad app. A WhatsApp spokesperson clarified that you still need a phone number to receive the one-time passcode for registration, but once set up, the iPad account operates independently and is not tethered to a primary phone as a companion device.
For those who enjoy sharing their musical tastes, WhatsApp now lets you share a song directly from Apple Music or Spotify to your WhatsApp Status. The company says this is designed to help users express themselves and make their status updates more unique.
Productivity is also getting a boost. WhatsApp is now enabling users to open PDFs directly within the app without having to download them first. Once a PDF is open, users can make lightweight edits like highlighting and annotating, right inside the chat. This feature is available on both the web and desktop versions of the app.
These updates, announced on Wednesday, are part of a steady stream of new features. Just a few weeks ago, WhatsApp launched usernames to let people share their profiles without revealing their phone number. In late May, Meta introduced a subscription plan called WhatsApp Plus, which unlocks extras like profile customization, super reactions, and story insights, mirroring similar Plus offerings for Instagram and Facebook.
(Source: TechCrunch)
