After launching WhatsApp Web, the browser-based version of the WhatsApp client for PCs and Macs last year, the company has now taken it one step further by introducing a true WhatsApp application for Windows and Mac OS X machines.

Although it's a standalone app for computers running Windows 8 or Mac OS 10.9 or later, you still need to use WhatsApp on the smartphone to scan a QR code produced by the desktop app before you can login.

This also means that the desktop app is essentially an extension of the smartphone app – you cannot run the app on the PC without first having the smartphone app installed.

The look and feel of the desktop PC app is identical to how it worked on WhatsApp Web which means it's quite basic – you can't even change the background wallpaper.

If you're interested in downloading the app, get it from the WhatsApp site here.

Copyright: The Star Online/Asia News Network