Use WhatsApp on Windows and Mac with AirDroid 3

Use WhatsApp on Windows and Mac with AirDroid 3

blognet   Saturday, May 02, 2015   Comment  

Like most instant messaging software available on the market, we have always wantedwhatsapp to be available on desktop platforms such as windows and mac.

Inspite of the limitations, whatsapp users have found out numerous workarounds to run and use the instant messaging app from a desktop PC. One of these most common workaround for using whatsapp on PC involves running the app from an android emulator. But unfortunately this workaround doesn’t let you usewhatsapp simultaneously from multiple devices.

Fortunately there is an even easier method of using whatsapp from a desktop PC and the best thing about this method is it enables you to use whatsapp simultaneously from both your desktop PC and smartphone.

You would have heard of Airdroid or even used it before for transferring files wirelessly to your android device from a PC. Airdroid is one of the most useful android apps and with the latest update, the app has added another new feature that enables you to usewhatsapp from a desktop PC. I’ve tried out this feature personally and it is indeed the easiest method of using whatsapp from a desktop PC. However the only limitation with this method is, you will need to have a rooted android phone.

For those who want to use whatsapp on a bigger screen, here’s how you can usewhatsapp from a Mac or Windows PC.

Note: Make sure that your android device and Desktop PC are connected to the same WiFi connection.

How to Use WhatsApp on Windows and Mac with AirDroid 3

• Step 1: Download and install the Airdroid app on your android device.

Download Airdroid

• Step 2: Sign in into the app or Sign up with a new account.

• Step 3: Once you’ve signed in, the app will request you to enable real timenotifications on your PC. Click on Enable.

• Step 4: Enable the Android Notification Mirror feature.

• Step 5: Now Head over to web.airdroid.com in your desktop’s browser andDownload the respective Airdroid client for your Mac or PC from the downloadlinks provided.

• Step 6: Sign in with your airdroid account.

• Step 7: Once the desktop client for android is installed, login into your airdroid account on the airdroid desktop client.

Thats it, Now when you receive a message on whatsapp, the same will be notified on your desktop.

If you click on the message notification, it will open in a whatsapp window and you can use you mouse and keyboard to navigate and type in the replies.

WhatsApp update delivers Material Design at last: get the APK now

WhatsApp update delivers Material Design at last: get the APK now

blognet   Tuesday, April 14, 2015   Comment  

The latest WhatsApp update, v2.12.38, has finally delivered a Material Design overhaul to the world's most popular instant messaging app. The update brings about a long-overdue visual makeover, but retains some parts of the app we've all come to rely on, including that funky default wallpaper. See below for screens and to grab the APK for yourself right now.

WhatsApp finally gets Material Design. / © ANDROIDPIT

Admittedly, there's nothing too revolutionary in the overhaul. The thing about Material Design is that we know what we're going to get. The update brings round profile icons and the three tabs at the top has become joined with the WhatsApp banner up top (which, incidentally, has lost its logo). The icons for searching, calling and the overflow menu are slightly remodeled and the green color is even a little more lively.

The new WhatsApp is clean and flat and even has a new shade of green. /

Right now the Play Store doesn't have the latest version with the Material Design changes on board. For the latest version you'll have to enable Unknown Sources in your Security settings (don't forget to disable unknown Sources once you're done) and then head to the WhatsApp website to download the latest and greatest APK.

Never fear, the blue check marks and original wallpaper are still there. / © 

WhatsApp voice calling: out now

As long as you have WhatsApp version 2.12.19 or above, which is the first version that does not require an invitation call (which admittedly didn't work for everyone anyway), you'll be able to use the WhatsApp calling feature. You will need to enable ''Unknown Sources'' in your device's security settings first so you can install it.

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Once enabled you'll have a call log and calls directed to your contacts will be done through WhatsApp. / © ANDROIDPIT

We've found the call quality to be a little patchy but some are claiming it's even better and more stable than Skype. We'll assume the concrete bunkers we all live in is causing the problem and not WhatsApp's efforts. Once enabled, you'll see a three-tab layout with a calling option next to your contacts.

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Once you've received an incoming call you'll see a third tab: Calls. / 

If you're having any trouble getting the service to work, you can try some alternative methods in our guide on how to manually enable WhatsApp voice calling. If you want to know how to silence incoming WhatsApp calls now that you've got yet another calling channel to worry about, here's a quick guide for that too.

Silence WhatsApp notifications with Lollipop's Priority Mode

WhatsApp now respects Android 5.0 Lollipop's Priority Mode. This means you can now silence WhatsApp notifications and incoming phone calls – which would previously come through even with Priority Mode enabled.

At last! WhatsApp now works with Android 5.0 Lollipop Priority Mode. © 

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The issue came about because WhatsApp plays alert tones differently to most apps. Whereas most apps play a notification tone – which Priority Mode can silence – WhatsApp played its notification via Android's media volume, which meant that even with Priority Mode enabled every WhatsApp message would still play a jingle. Considering that basically everyone with a smartphone uses WhatsApp, this essentially made Priority Mode useless.

WhatsApp now shows when messages have been read! / © ANDROIDPIT

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A previous work around was to silence media volume as well, but as you can probably tell, that would silence all other notifications tones as well. Funny how one app alone can essentially undermine an entire Android feature. In any case, WhatsApp will now be silenced even in Priority Mode, unless you have it white-listed. Enjoy the peace and quiet now that you can actually use Priority Mode. 

WhatsApp MessengerINSTALL

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Have you got WhatsApp voice calling enabled? What do you think of it?