Tim
WhatsApp, the messaging service with 1 billion monthly users, now has a beta program available to Android users. Downloadable via Google Play, joining does not appear to be limited or private, with all a potential tester needing to do is enter from a particular testing group link.
The only changes remarked by WhatsApp beta users so far are bug fixes and improvements, but usually, beta users are first to see exciting new features that may be rolled out to the public after testing. As an example, multiple account support on Instagram was teased to beta users for a few weeks before it was available to everyone. The only downside to Google Play beta builds is the lack of changelogs. From our experience, developers don’t tend to bother posting changelogs or any real info when pushing updates. As a user, that can be frustrating.
While the thought of having features before others is always enticing, do realize that these builds are beta, and may not perform the way you would like. The only way to ensure you have a good experience is to remain on the stable, public release builds. However, if tinkering and sending in bug reports to help WhatsApp sounds like a good time to you, have at it.
To download, click the link below, select “Become a tester,” then reinstall the app on your device from Google Play. Make sure any previous version of WhatsApp is uninstalled from your device to ensure you are running the beta.
Let us know what you think if you give it a whirl.
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