WhatsApp, which steadfastly remains a mobile-only service, is possibly working on native apps for Windows and the Mac computers. If the reports, based on a few screenshots shared by Twitter account WABetaInfo are true then it is possible that the service may become accessible on laptops and computers natively.

Currently, it is possible to use WhatsApp on Windows or Mac but it has to be done through a web browser, and it requires pairing your phone with the open WhatsApp tab using a QR code. At the same time, it is also necessary that your phone should have a working internet connection. Or you won't be able to use the service on the computer. This limits the utility of the WhatsApp Web.

But the native app for Windows and Mac, if it materialise will offer functionality that is probably similar to what user get with the Google Hangouts, Facebook Messenger or any other such chat service. These chat services, once a user has logged in, offer full functionality.

Also Read: WhatsApp is now probably illegal in India

While simplicity has been a major selling point of WhatsApp, at times the service can feel frustratingly barebones. Probably this is the reason why as it grows -- there are over a billion users of WhatsApp -- it is adding new features. In the last several months, WhatsApp has added a number of new features, including ability to share some files. Now there are rumours that the app will next add support for ZIP files. This would effectively mean that it will support almost all types of files because users would be able to ZIP any file and then share it with friends on the chat app.

WhatsApp also recently added support for strong peer-to-peer encryption, raising the fears that it may run afoul of norms in India and the government may ban it.

