WhatsApp is dropping its native Windows app in favor of an uglier web version

I'm really happy that this is not relevant to me.
... because I don't use Windows. I wish it was also because I managed to get rid of WhatsApp from my life.
- I wish it was also because I managed to get rid of WhatsApp from my life.
  Jup, impossible for me if I want to keep in contact with 90% of my friends.

On one hand, requiring calls to be done on the native app but not on the web one because "muh encryption" was always stupid.
On the other hand, the Native app was really well done.
A well made app using the native OS ui toolkit is so rare. Now it's turning into yet another stupid web wrapper.
I'm so sick of everything being a web page.
- I have a lot of problems with the native version. So much so that I use web app even though I have native app installed.

I’m just thinking now that the Mac is next.
I thought that as much as these companies preach about LLMs doing their coding, the cost of development would go down, no? So why does it need to reduce everything to a single code base to make it easier for developers?
- Facebook also developed react native so I don’t know what their excuse is.
  
  React native isn't the same as native

The whole point of webapps was not to have os specific ones. somehow smartphones caused everything to move backwards.

I dont mind the web app as i dont have to install anything and i can sandbox it to my browser.
Edit: using ublock in whatsapp ;)

Why would anyone care about it being uglier?
It's WhatsApp. Ugly is their visual identity.
If they changed their app to resemble a neon citylight barely anyone would even notice, let alone complain.

I never installed their app on Windows. I figured it could just randomly watch what I was doing, log keystrokes, view websites and history etc. I don't know if I'm misunderstanding how much Windows apps can spy on each other - they don't seem to ask for permissions etc.

What's so funny is that they were going to allow encrypted (they say) calls on the web app but then suddenly released a native windows client and told everyone if you wanted calls you need to use it, then removed all buttons for calls or video calls.
I guess they're coming back on that.

It's a shame. The app worked well, and it was nice to have a native look rather than a generic web one.

Does anyone have any idea why, I thought it was also quite liked by the community, no need to open up the extreamly slow web browser just to post one image or pdf
- It's in the article. Each different version you maintain is an additional strain and added cost. It's why applications are increasingly moving towards web versions.

It amazes me people use this crap. I guess people just don't give a fuck about their life.
Yes I know it is extraordinarily popular in many places of the world. Mine included. The hardest part isnt friends, it is businesses.
Friends/family have been easy enough: we are going to use signal for example. They go ok, whatever. But business got complacent. We always work it out in the end anyways. Or I wont give them my business.

I've literally only ever used the web version on windows. It works fine, so what's the problem? what functionality is being lost?
More ram usage? oh no! I couldn't possibly have free Ram left!