WhatsApp messaging application is now available for the Nokia Asha 501 phone. The application is available as a free download, following the over-the-air software update that will start to roll out this week. You will have to install an OTA update to use the WhatsApp application on your Asha 501 phone. Nokia said the new software also comes with a one-touch social sharing and a more intuitive home screen.
After you download WhatsApp and log in for the first time using your Nokia Asha 501, your phone will automatically find and add contacts who are already using the messaging service. The messaging service is already available on other Asha phones, which run on the older platform. Asha 501 is the first device to run on the new Nokia Asha platform. WhatsApp for Nokia Asha 501 is a specially optimized version of the app that allows you to send messages using 2G or Wi-Fi networks.
The WhatsApp will integrate itself in the Nokia Asha software platform and will push notifications when a message is received .The notifications from the app can be seen via Fastlane. Fastlane is the second home screen that acts as a shortcut to favourite apps and content, and features on all Asha Platform devices.
WhatsApp is one of the most popular IM service, it is a cross-platform messaging app that uses your data or Wi-Fi connection in order to send free messages, photos, video files and voice messages to other WhatsApp users. WhatsApp currently has over 350 million monthly active users.
“Asha 501 will be the first device on the Asha Platform to support WhatsApp. The new interface comes with a single swipe camera, single touch share to Facebook and ability to track Facebook comments and likes right from your Fastlane screen,” Nokia India Director Marketing Viral Oza said.
In addition, the WhatsApp messaging service will come pre-installed on the Nokia Asha 500, Asha 502 and Asha 503 Dual SIM when these phones start selling later this year.
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