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For over 3 billion monthly active users worldwide, WhatsApp has been conspicuously absent from one critical device: the Apple Watch. That gap is now closing. Meta's ubiquitous messaging platform has officially launched on Apple's wearable ecosystem, marking a watershed moment for on-wrist communication.

ZDNET's hands-on testing reveals a streamlined experience mirroring core mobile functionality. Users can:
- Read full message threads with clear formatting
- Send quick replies via emoji reactions or smart suggestions
- Record and dispatch voice messages
- Receive call notifications
- Browse chat history

However, strategic compromises emerge. Voice messages cap at 10 seconds—a deliberate design choice likely balancing usability with the watch's compact interface. "I was surprised by the countdown timer during testing," reports ZDNET's Nina Raemont. "It suggests Meta views these snippets as vocal substitutes for typed responses rather than lengthy recordings."

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The 10-second voice message interface (Image: Nina Raemont/ZDNET)

Compatibility targets mainstream adoption: Apple Watch Series 4 or later running WatchOS 10+ covers devices from 2018 onward. This positions the integration for immediate scale across Apple's dominant wearable installed base.

For developers, this rollout signals deeper platform commitments. While wearables historically prioritized notifications over interactivity, WhatsApp's feature set—however constrained—validates smartwatches as legitimate messaging endpoints. The 10-second voice limit particularly illustrates how Meta is reimagining communication paradigms for micro-interactions.

WhatsApp confirms this is merely phase one, promising "even more useful functionality" ahead. As wrist-based computing evolves beyond fitness tracking, Meta's move pressures rivals to match its wearables ambition—transforming how billions experience connectivity when phones stay pocketed.

Source: ZDNET