Instant messaging is undergoing a constant stream of change, and with the biggest two instant messaging platforms (WhatsApp and Telegram) constantly playing dead we could hardly be more surprised if some of these announcements give the two biggest services a new lease of life. But for millions of desktop users who rely on the instant messaging apps for productivity and convenience, these announcements have given them some of the biggest bits of news yet. Both whatsapp. web and whatsapp. desktop are under intense change that will undoubtedly revolutionize the way we talk from our computers. They’re not incremental, they’re crafted to capture a user base that requires seamless cross-platform functionality.
WhatsApp Web Embraces a Standalone Future
For a long time the primary nemesis of WhatsApp Web was the fact that it was tied to your smartphone. It was supposed to be a proximity to your smartphone. If your phone ran out of juice or you lost your connection to the internet, your desktop session would automatically crash. It’s finally ended. Thanks to the new standalone version of WhatsApp Web, you can set up your entire session to stay active and disconnected from your smartphone. That really is a game-changer on reliability fronts (especially where mobile apps are the main platform but desktop is an essential tool for work).
So how do you use this new, much improved version of WhatsApp网页版? It’s still an easy-to-use (and much easier-to-search) procedure, but now it’s much more powerful. Instead of just scanning a QR code in the mobile app you’ll be able to link your device through a new “Linked Devices” option in the mobile client. And the fact that “linked device” is being used instead of “web client” makes it all the more clear what differentiates WhatsApp from its mobile-first roots, namely the need for an ecosystem that spans multiple devices.
Telegram’s Downloadable Client Gets a Major Overhaul
While WhatsApp is constantly catching up with the game on multi-device support, Telegram has forged a slick and seamless desktop experience for years. But they’re not sitting idle. This week’s update to the Telegram Download package introduces some options that aim to improve personalization, performance, and better social engagement. The app also got a visual overhaul with new animated wallpapers and smoother transitions that make it feel a whole lot more dynamic and modern looking. No, these improvements do not impact the performance of Telegram.
A more important addition in the new Telegram下载 is the expansion of its interactive emoji and reactions. When you respond to a message with a certain emoji, the full screen animation will pop up and be visible to all participants in the chat – adding yet another layer of fun and expression. Also in the new Telegram Download comes a number of new features for group and channel administrators. Such features include granular reaction analytics, allowing you to set custom emoji to react to channels, and more efficient promotions that will help content creators grow their communities further and more easily from the desktop client.
A Comparative Look at the Evolving Platforms
As we put these two updates side by side, a story starts to emerge. Whatsapp’s improvements to WhatsApp Web are essentially a response to being comparable to other messaging services. They’re fixing a large glaring weakness on their side, and they’re making their platform more attractive for all-day, professional use. Its all about stability, and to make sure the billions of users on their services already have an unbeatable experience across all their devices. This is a defensive but necessary move to really please everyone on the platform and keep its massive user base happy. The new features on Telegram Download are on the contrary: they are offensive moves made to empower users and communities. They’re leveraging their reputation as the most customizable and feature-packed messenger in the world.
What These Changes Mean for You
The results for the average user of all these updates are a more powerful, flexible messaging experience. If your top priority is a reliable and easy way for you to use WhatsApp Web without worrying about your phone’s current status, then this update by WhatsApp is a big win. It streamlines your workflow and removes a significant friction point. For people who are community managers, power users that want customization and/or just people who like a nicer and more active chat environment, then the latest Telegram Download will appeal much better.
The Future of Desktop Messaging
The rapid upgrade and sharability of WhatsApp Web and Telegram Download is a clear indicator that an established market segment, now competing with similar and rival messages services, is mature. Whatsapp has grown in popularity but is also creating new challenges for Telegram: We call it a battle for supremacy. While they both have built substantial structures to support their different business models, there is now an emerging competition. The rivalry is a good thing, and can only help drive innovation: the tools we rely on most for making and sharing communications are getting faster, more powerful and more capable every day. Here’s what consumers can learn from it: the syncing of your text messages with your desktop screen just doesn’t seem to stop.
