How to send and receive WhatsApp messages right from your computer browser?

The cross-platform free messaging app got updated today on Windows Phone and other mobile platforms as well. This update brings the ability to send and receive messages right from your computer, Windows or Mac. But you will need Google Chrome installed. This new feature works with the following mobile platforms: Windows Phone, Android, Blackberry, Nokia S60 and Blackberry 10. Besides Chrome on your computer, the latest version of WhatsApp itself must be installed on your device. It is available in the Windows Phone store for free.

Launch Google Chrome on your computer and enter the following address: web.whatsapp.com. Launch WhatsApp on your Windows Phone and tap "whatsapp web" in the menu. Use the built in code scanner and point it towards the code generated in Chrome browser. A screen instantly appears with your conversations and you can initiate new ones as your full WhatsApp contacts are also available within Chrome. If you're concerned about privacy, don't be. The extension only mirrors WhatsApp on your phone. So everything is actually taking place on the phone. Users will have to go through the code scanning procedure each and every time they want to use WhatsApp on their PC.

Your phone still needs to be powered on and connected for this to work. It is an extension and nothing more. The advantage it offers is the ability to send and reply to WhatsApp messages on your PC without having to stop whatever work your doing to pick your phone to interact with WhatsApp. My only issue is that the connection is lost when the phone goes in stand by mode. How do you like WhatsApp Web?