WhatsApp for iOS Gains Group Calling for Voice and Video

Not sure what's the point of WhatsApp these days since it doesn't seem to have much differentiating features compared to FB Messenger.

I don't understand your comment. Isn't WhatsApp the worlds most used messaging app?

A simple UI for group chat. Much nicer than Apple’s weird floating video rubbish.

Not sure what's the point of WhatsApp these days since it doesn't seem to have much differentiating features compared to FB Messenger.

Encrypted and private messaging should be enough.

That's because it's tied to your mobile number, which the iPad doesn't have. You can use the web version on the iPad.

Tied to a mobile number is not an issue as you mentioned the web version works without the need of any phone number. As long as the WhatsApp server can verify which number the account is registered to, it should be able to provide access. They can potentially use exactly the same method of authentication as they do on web but for an iPad app. I think they’re not interested in an iPad app purely because of the user base and the numbers against the smartphones.

Other than the difference of phone numbers/fb accounts though, there are hardly any outstanding differences. Facebook could easily have folded one app into the other and I doubt anyone would complain.

You really think that? Look at this heat map and it's associated data ('https://www.similarweb.com/blog/mobile-messaging-app-map-2018'). Tell me again how you doubt anyone would complain. WA is the most popular app in 104 countries. FBM is the most popular in 64. Seriously, how much complaining do you think would happen if you told people in 1 country they're messaging platform is being folded into another? Now, multiply that by 100. If by this point, you still think the same way...
Blue - Facebook Messenger Green - WhatsApp Red - WeChat

Not sure what's the point of WhatsApp these days since it doesn't seem to have much differentiating features compared to FB Messenger.

Doesn't matter at all because realistically you just use what your friends use. In the US, nobody uses WhatsApp. In other countries, they do, sometimes because their restricted Internet plans don't allow anything else.

Quite simple, many people aren't (or weren't) on Facebook when WhatsApp reached it's critical mass (which is essential to even have a chance as a "platform"). Since you can use it with just a phone number and nothing else it is easy to set up and just works.