WhatsApp's new in-car feature is centered on hands-free operation.
CarPlay and Android Auto users can now hear and respond to messages, check call history, and contact favorite people without needing to touch their phone.
Meta is revamping the functionality of WhatsApp within vehicles, providing CarPlay and Android Auto users with more capabilities than merely sending texts and making calls. The company made this announcement in a newsroom post today, along with various other updates for the messaging app.
Hands-free WhatsApp Functionality in Vehicles
Previously, WhatsApp's features on CarPlay were restricted to composing messages or making phone calls, both of which distracted drivers from the road. According to Meta, the updated version introduces hands-free playback and responses for incoming messages, a visible call history, and one-tap access to favorite contacts, all accessible through the car's infotainment display.
Android Auto will also receive these enhancements, transforming WhatsApp’s in-car experience from a basic replica of the phone app into something more beneficial for drivers.
iPads Gain Primary Device Capability
Meta is also addressing one of the remaining obstacles preventing the WhatsApp app on iPads from achieving full autonomy from mobile phones. WhatsApp only launched a dedicated app for the iPad last year, and even then, the tablet functioned merely as a companion device.
Earlier this month, WhatsApp began widely rolling out primary device support for iPads, enabling users to register directly on the tablets. The setup process now only requires a phone number to receive a one-time password, according to Meta.
Additionally, a new feature allows users to share a song directly from Apple Music or Spotify to their WhatsApp Status, replacing the previous method of taking a screenshot and posting it manually. PDFs will also be easier to manage, opening directly in chats on web and desktop without necessitating a download, accompanied by basic highlighting and annotation tools.
WhatsApp has introduced something new nearly every month this summer, ranging from a paid Plus tier in May to usernames in June. Today’s updates are comparatively minor but are likely to significantly enhance user experience when navigating the app on a daily basis, whether that includes texting while driving or setting up a new tablet without needing a secondary device.
Pranob is an experienced tech journalist with over eight years of experience in consumer technology reporting.
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WhatsApp's new in-car feature is centered on hands-free operation.
WhatsApp has updated its in-car experience to provide improved hands-free controls for CarPlay and Android Auto users.