Whatsapp is adding the ability to record
and send voice messages to its smartphone
chat software.
The move will help it compete against
Facebook Messenger, WeChat, Voxer and BBM
which already offer the function.
California-based Whatsapp has said 300
million people now use its app at least once a
month.
One analyst said the addition of voice
messages should help the firm boost its
popularity in parts of the developing world.
"In south-east Asia, for example India and
China, and parts of Africa voice messages are
popular as an alternative to typing on phones'
English-style keyboards," Neha Dharia, an
analyst at telecoms consultancy Ovum told the
BBC.
"Also in markets where literacy is
low ,Whatsapp will do much better with this
service."
Whatsapp is adding the new function to its
apps for the iPhone, Android, Blackberry,
Windows Phone and Nokia S40 platforms.
This is an unusual move as developers tend to
prioritise Apple and Google's operating systems
ahead of the others.
The firm makes money by charging users an
annual 0.99 cent (64p) fee.
Voice calls
Whatsapp is not putting any duration limit on
voice messages sent.
It has designed its software so that recordings
automatically play through headphones if they
are plugged in, or otherwise through the
phone's earpiece when the device is placed
next to a user's head and through the
speakerphone if held away.
Message creators can also see when their
recording has been listened to.
The app still lacks the ability to host
interactive voice or video conversations, which
is possible on Microsoft's Skype and
Blackberry's BBM apps. However, Whatsapp
works across more platforms.
"This can also be seen as Whatsapp testing the
water for Voip [voice over internet protocol]
calls at a later stage," added Ms Dharia.
"That is complicated as different countries
have different regulations that it would need
to follow. So, Whatsapp might decide its
strategy based on the places where it can see
voice messages prove most popular."
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