Skip to main content

Reliance JioPhone could get WhatsApp support soon

By


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.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Please give some suggestions or share your experience here...

Popular posts from this blog

Instagram now tells everyone when you’re active, here’s how to hide it

By
Another day, another feature nobody asked for. Facebook subsidiary Instagram has now enabled activity status in direct messages: this means that practically all of your friends will now be able to see w hen the last time you were actively using the app was. The feature rolled out as part of the latest updates for  Android  and  iOS  – so at least you know everyone is getting the same deal. In case you were wondering how this looks, Instagram now displays a line indicating the last time a user was active on its platform directly underneath their username. The activity status is currently only visible in direct messages. While some might find this change slightly annoying at first, it is not all that surprizing to see it in the main app. Indeed, Facebook integrated the same feature in its Messenger app ages ago. The good thing about the new addition is that Instagram has given users the option to opt-out from having their activity status visible to everyone. Here’s how...
Post a Comment
Read more

Asus Zenfone Live L1 Android Go smartphone with 18:9 display launched

By
Asus ZenFone Live L1 comes with Snapdragon 425 SoC and Android Oreo (Go edition) OS. The Asus Zenfone Live L1 was announced in May this year. It s an entry-level smartphone, which is also the company s first to feature an  Android Go  operating system While the smartphone was launched in Indonesia in May, the company is also making it available in Philippines now, citing at a possible expansion to other markets. This means that there is a good chance that Asus Zenfone Live L1 could come to India as well. The  Asus  Zenfone Live L1 has been priced at PHP 5,995 (Rs 7,600) in the Philippines. It s higher than the Indonesian pricing, which was DR 1,399,000 (Rs 6,750). With possibilities of an Indian launch, we can expect the phone to be priced under Rs 8,000. The phone comes with basic specifications and is available in Space Blue, Rose Pink, Shimmer Gold, and Midnight Black. Also Read No Make in India: Reliance plans to import JioPhone 2 devices a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Google Brings Responsive Search Ads With Machine Learning Integration

By
VcTech Last month, Google  announced  sweeping changes to the company’s portfolio of advertisement products by streamlining its offerings such as AdWords, and making it easier for businesses and advertisers to choose the most suitable option for their campaigns. At the Google Marketing Live event today, Google has unveiled new ad marketing tools that come with machine learning smarts, and has announced the integration of ML tools in existing products. Among the key announcements made by Google at the event were improved optimization for responsive search ads, ways to boost impressions and footfalls, and tools to deliver impactful ads on YouTube to name just a few. Responsive Search Ads Responsive search ads combine the relevant ad data and creative input provided by advertisers with machine learning algorithms to maximize the impact of ads. For example, advertisers need to provide headlines and description lines, and the Adwords tool backed by machin...
Post a Comment
Read more