WhatsApp Updated With Android Wear Support; Brings Voice Replies and More

WhatsApp for Android has received an update in beta form that brings support for Android Wear devices, such as the LG G Watch and the Samsung Gear Live smartwatches. With the update, users will be able to read direct and group messages, dictate voice replies, and see stacked notifications from the Facebook-owned messaging service on their Android Wear devices.

The WhatsApp v2.11.322 update is available for download from the official website - and is not yet available on the Google Play store - signifying its beta release status. According to reports from publications having tried the update on an Android Wear smartwatch, the implementation is still a little buggy, but worth a try for smartwatch owners.

An Android Police report details the update, which doesn't yet feature a official changelog, noting users will be able to see complete WhatsApp messages on their Android Wear devices, both direct and group messages, with the name of the sender.

Stacked WhatsApp notifications are also noted to be present with the update, allowing users to see and interact with several notifications at the same time, expanding to read or reply. Users will also be able to dictate a voice reply with a single swipe.

Before WhatsApp, several other companies released Android Wear optimised apps, and a section is dedicated to these apps on the Google Play store. Over 30 apps are listed in the Android Wear apps section, including some from Google (like the competing Hangouts), and others like Truecaller, RunKeeper, Trello, Match.com, Wunderlist, Tinder, Lyft, ViewRanger GPS, Hue Control, Path Talk, musiXmatch, IFTTT, Pinterest, and Duolingo.

The Truecaller support for Android Wear devices was rolled-out last month. With the help of the support, users can also make calls, send texts or save the caller contact information by a single tap.