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Reliance JioPhone could get WhatsApp support soon

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Reliance JioPhone could soon be getting WhatsApp support according to a report by WaBetaInfo. WhatsApp would be the next major app to hit JioPhone users after Facebook was rolled out last month.
“Important references about the development of a new native KaiOS app had been found in the latest WhatsApp beta for Windows Phone 2.18.38, indicating the presence of a new platform that can be connected to WhatsApp servers,” the report states.
Reliance JioPhone runs on Linux-based KaiOS which is a light mobile Operating System (OS). KaiOS combines the powerful capabilities of a smartphone with the affordability of a basic handset. This isn’t any confirmation though since there isn’t any hard proof since this feature is currently being tested in beta mode.

“After stopping support for BlackBerry OS and Windows Phone 8, the Facebook-owned messaging platform is focusing to develop the app for this platform, providing an app for JioPhones. We remember WhatsApp will stop to support Nokia S40 on next December 31, leaving the Symbian platform, but KaiOS will be supported instead,” the website added.
In response to a query about WhatsApp support on JioPhone KaiOS said, “We don’t have any news regarding partnerships other than what we announced at MWC.”
At MWC 2018, KaiOS announced partnerships with big tech companies including Facebook, Qualcomm, Twitter, Google and HMD Global. With Facebook support already available on JioPhone, it is expected that WhatsApp would soon be rolled out too. Facebook bought WhatsApp back in 2014.
“The highly-coveted social media app has made its way to KaiOS-powered feature phones. This partnership supports access to Facebook via a native KaiOS app, thus allowing more users to connect with their friends and families,” KaiOS wrote in a blog post last month.

The OS originates from the Firefox OS open-source project started in 2011 and has continued independently from Mozilla since 2016. KaiOS was first launched publicly in the US market in 2017.
The mobile OS supports 4G/LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS and is compatible with chipsets from major manufacturers.



WhatsApp on Jio Phone Could Become Reality Sooner Than Expected



  • WhatsApp set to make way into Jio Phone
  • References to native WhatsApp app found in KaiOS
  • Spotted in latest beta commits to WhatsApp for Windows Phone


Jio Phone may finally be getting WhatsApp support, sooner than most people expected. While the Jio Phone runs on KaiOS, which does not offer support for WhatsApp, the social media giant has reportedly been spotted working on a KaiOS version of the app, which will bring the support for Jio Phone users. The Jio Phone, Reliance Jio's 4G VoLTE-enabled feature phone, had been launched with some smart features in 2017, but users have been complaining about the lack of WhatsApp support on the handset. Now though, KaiOS may get support for the world's most popular messaging app, and thus bringing it to the Jio Phone.
KaiOS, based on Linux, is a light operating system and takes up fewer resources compared to full-fledged operating systems like Android and iOS. It is mostly seen on mobiles without a touchscreen. Jio Phone, one of the most popular feature phones in India, uses KaiOS. As per WABetaInfo, a tracker of upcoming WhatsApp features, "references to a native KaiOS app" have been spotted in the latest beta commits to WhatsApp for Windows Phone version 2.18.38.
It should be noted that there has been no official announcement from neither WhatsApp nor Reliance Jio regarding the announcement of the feature.
Notably, KaiOS Technologies had already mentioned last month that it has partnered with many technology giants, most notably Facebook, Twitter, and Google. To recall, Jio Phone already has a special edition of the Google Assistant.
There is apparently a lot of demand for WhatsApp among Jio Phone users. California-based startup Browserling was nearly killed earlier this year as traffic from Jio Phone users increased manifolds suddenly as they discovered the Browserling app could be used to operate WhatsApp on the 4G feature phone.

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