The popular mobile messaging application WhatsApp, acquired by Facebook last year for nearly USD 22 billion, has unveiled a new service for sending messages from a Web browser. WhatsApp, which claims some 500 million users, said its Web service will be a "mirror" and would require an Internet- connected phone to work.

"Our Web client is simply an extension of your phone: the Web browser mirrors conversations and messages from your mobile device – this means all of your messages still live on your phone," WhatsApp said in a blog post. The new messaging service currently only works with Google's Chrome browser and will not be available to iPhone users "due to Apple platform limitations," according to WhatsApp.