Microsoft and WhatsApp may be working together on a new UWP app for Windows 10

WhatsApp for Windows Telephone is i of the few apps on Windows 10 Mobile today that continues to receive frequent updates from its developer. Unfortunately, the app itself is one based on Silverlight, which is what apps congenital for Windows Phone viii.ane used dorsum in 2022. This means the app isn't a Universal Windows Platform app (UWP,) and as such doesn't run across all the unlike Windows ten platforms and devices available today.

That ways that if Microsoft'due south rumored Andromeda device always does happen, the WhatsApp app available right now won't run on information technology, because the version of Windows 10 that runs on Andromeda doesn't support old apps based on Silverlight. On a device like Andromeda, an app like WhatsApp is a must-take. Luckily, it appears that Microsoft may exist working closely with WhatsApp in bringing its Silverlight app to UWP, forth with updating its UI with a refreshed interface that features Fluent Design.

Concept art of this piece of work recently popped upward on Behance past a designer hired past Microsoft who appears to be working on the project. Unfortunately, the Behance listing was pulled after we approached the designer for comment. While the project on Behance didn't tell us much outside of what the app may wait like, information technology does give united states our first hint towards an apparent partnership between Microsoft and WhatsApp. The simply context surrounding this work is a paragraph on what the project is about:

WhatsApp is a gratuitous cross-platform app owned by Facebook. You lot tin brand video calls and ship text messages, voice messages, documents, and user locations. I have been supporting the team with porting WhatsApp from Silverlight to UWP. Nosotros want them to bring their app to Windows 10 desktop and integrate unique Windows 10 features like Ink and Fluent Design. The project had [a] successful result which led to WhatsApp partnering with Microsoft, and nosotros earned high praise from the WhatsApp squad.

Working together?

Based on the project description, information technology sounds like Microsoft and WhatsApp are working closely together in updating WhatsApp for the Universal Windows Platform, which will enable information technology to run beyond dissimilar Windows ten devices universally. Of course, while these concept images don't give the states definitive proof that a UWP app of WhatsApp is in the works, it does serve as confirmation that WhatsApp and Microsoft are at least brainstorming such an thought.

Judging by the concept images, a WhatsApp UWP app would combine the functionality of both the Windows Phone app and the Windows 10 desktop app available today. On desktops, the UWP app would just act equally a "relay" awarding assuasive users who use WhatsApp on their iOS or Android device and ship and receive WhatsApp content directly on their PC via WhatsApp Web syncing.

The app would also deed as a native client for Windows 10 devices that take telephony capabilities, which is why this app is crucial for something like Andromeda and is probably a big part of why Microsoft is talking with WhatsApp Inc. about edifice a true UWP app of WhatsApp in the first place. We asked Microsoft for annotate, and they responded with the following statement: "Microsoft does non comment on rumors and speculation." So, take that equally you will.

It would exist super awesome if later this year, Microsoft announces a brand new, cute WhatsApp app for Windows ten that works across a wide variety of Windows ten devices, including Andromeda. Of form, since these are only concepts, even though they were designed under Microsoft information technology doesn't hateful such an app will e'er see light of day. But, at least they announced to exist talking about it.

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