This likely coincides with the multi-device capability of WhatsApp leaving beta and getting a general release. The company previously announced that it was testing this feature all the way back in June, with beta testing beginning just a month later. At the time, the company announced that it would allow users to have up to four other devices, excluding your phone, to use the messaging app. This test would later be extended to tablets, both of the iPadOS and Android variety. In addition to non-phone devices, WhatsApp is also working on what it calls Companion Mode, which extend multi-device use to another smartphone. At the time, WhatsApp explained that your phone running the messaging app is effectively holding the identity key, acting as the “source of truth”. Now, with multi-device support, each device connected to your account will get its own identity key, allowing them to work independently of your phone. You can download the new desktop version of the WhatsApp application by hitting the link below. No word on when this multi-device capability will be extended to tablets and other phones for general users just yet though. (Source: WhatsApp [1], [2] via The Verge)

Updated WhatsApp Desktop App Now Works Standalone - 11Updated WhatsApp Desktop App Now Works Standalone - 45