INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
After much anticipation, WhatsApp for Jio Phone has officially arrived
The app, which was initially planned to debut on KaiOS-based Jio Phone on August 15, is now rolling out through the JioStore
WhatsApp on late Monday confirmed the latest release and said that the app will be rolled out for all Jio Phone users by September 20
Users can download the specially-designed WhatsApp version on their Jio Phone and Jio Phone 2 handsets by visiting the JioStore
Notably, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) announced the imminent arrival of WhatsApp alongside a YouTube version at its 41st Annual General
Meeting (AGM) back in July.Similar to its versions for Android and iPhone, WhatsApp for Jio Phone is claimed to have end-to-end encryption
The app also lets users record and send voice messages
Users can also hold conversations in groups
However, it doesn't allow users to directly make voice and video calls
The app also doesn't allow users to make payments - one of the key features that recently came on Android and iPhone devices, albeit in beta
form.To download WhatsApp on your Jio Phone, go to JioStore from the menu and then find WhatsApp from the listing
Now, press the Install option to begin the installation
You need to make sure that your Jio Phone is running the latest software in order to operate WhatsApp
Additionally, you need to verify your phone number to get started with the instant messaging app.We were able to install the WhatsApp app on
our Jio Phone from the AppStore
The app however asked us to download a system update upon its installation, one that wasn't available at the time of filing this story
We were thus in able to use WhatsApp on our Jio Phone, but expect such the mentioned system update to roll out in the near future
We've reached out to Jio and WhatsApp for clarification, and will update this space when we hear back."Millions of people across India can
now use WhatsApp private messaging on the best-in-class JioPhone across India," said Chris Daniels, Vice President, WhatsApp, in a press
statement while announcing the release
"By designing this new app for KaiOS, we hope to expand the ability for people to communicate with anyone in India and around the world by
offering the best messaging experience possible to Jio Phone users."WhatsApp already has over 200 million monthly active users in India
This user base is likely to reach new heights with the debut of WhatsApp on Jio Phone that is so far leading in the market of feature phones
in the country."We will be providing WhatsApp, the most used chat application in the world, on all Jio Phones starting today," said Akash
Ambani, Director, Reliance Jio Infocomm, in the statement
"Jio wants to thank the Facebook and WhatsApp team for making this happen."Back in February, Facebook launched its dedicated app for Jio
Google also brought Google Assistant for Jio Phone in December
The search giant also recently released a special Google Maps version as well as started rolling out a dedicated YouTube app for the
We discussed that on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts or RSS, download the episode, or
just hit the play button below.
