WhatsApp: News & Discussions

[Nairrk]

WhatsApp rolls out listen-once audio messages on beta

WhatsApp has introduced a number of exciting new features on the platform, but more recently has begun rolling out self-destructing audio messages to beta users.

First reported by WABetaInfo, the feature is available to all Beta users with the latest version of the app. The self-destructing audio will work similarly to photos and videos which can only be viewed once. The audio message will disappear after being heard once.

The View Once feature was introduced by WhatsApp in 2021, which soon prompted the company to block users from taking screenshots or screen recording the media that was sent. Consequently, users won't be able to download or record the audio messages either.

According to the report, “WhatsApp is introducing a new feature to allow users to share voice notes with view once mode enabled for added privacy. This feature is available to some beta testers who install the latest versions of WhatsApp beta."

A screenshot of the feature was also posted in the report which visibly displayed a “1” button that shows up when recording an audio message.

It isn't clear if WhatsApp intends to make this feature public for all users, but currently, all Beta users have access to it. For iOS users getting the WhatsApp Beta app is quite difficult, requiring a TestFlight and an invite.

Just a few days ago, WhatsApp also added Passkeys, while it works on an iPad version of the messaging platform.

The Express Tribune

 

[Nairrk]

WhatsApp Multiple Accounts feature launched! Now use 2 accounts on the same phone

• You can soon have two WhatsApp accounts logged in at the same time.
• This means you can easily switch between accounts – such as your work and personal – without having to log out each time or carry two phones.

What’s better than having a WhatsApp account? Well, of course it’s having two.

Today, we’re introducing the ability to have two WhatsApp accounts logged in at the same time. Helpful for switching between accounts – such as your work and personal – now you no longer need to log out each time, carry two phones or worry about messaging from the wrong place.

To set up a second account, you will need a second phone number and SIM card, or a phone that accepts multi-SIM or eSIM. Simply open your WhatsApp settings, click on the arrow next to your name, and click “Add account”. You can control your privacy and notification settings on each account.

Meta

 

[Nairrk]

WhatsApp beta adds a secret code feature to hide and access locked chats

Recently, WhatsApp has released a new beta update (version 2.23.24.20), introducing a secret code feature for locked chats, available to some beta testers. This secret code feature allows users to hide the entry point to view locked chats, enhancing privacy.

With this feature, users configure a secret code, and the entry point disappears from the chat list. Instead, users access locked chats by entering the secret code in the Chats tab’s search bar. Additionally, WhatsApp is adding a feature that allows users to easily clear their list of locked chats directly from the privacy settings. This feature comes in handy if a user forgets their secret code, as it prevents them from getting locked out of their conversations.

This enhanced privacy ensures that locked conversations remain hidden, protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access or accidental exposure. Even if someone gains physical access to a user’s phone, they won’t access these secured conversations without the secret code.

WhatsApp is gradually rolling out the secret code feature to more users over the next few weeks and it will potentially roll out as a stable update in the future.

WABetainfo

 

[Nairrk]

WhatsApp teases AI chatbot debut with new shortcut

During Meta Connect 2023, the company announced WhatsApp would be getting an AI chatbot. Since then, only select beta testers have been able to use the AI-powered chats feature. It’s unknown when we’ll see a broader launch, but a new shortcut suggests that day is getting closer.

WhatsApp has started rolling out the latest beta for the Android app — version 2.23.24.26. Currently available for download in the Google Play Store, the fresh update appears to have a new shortcut for the AI assistant, according to WABetaInfo.

In the outlet’s screenshot above, you can see there’s a new button that appears on top of the new chats button in the Chats tab. That button shows a circular icon reminiscent of Microsoft’s old Cortana icon. When tapped, this button will reportedly quickly open the AI-powered chats to assist with questions. With the new AI button, bringing up the chatbot should become easier and more convenient than before.

The outlet says that the feature is only available to a small number of Android users who down the latest beta. However, WhatsApp will roll out the feature to more people in the coming weeks.
Earlier this week, we learned that changes are coming to chat backups on Android starting in December. While they are currently free, next month chat backups will start counting toward your Google account storage.

Androidauthority

 

[Nairrk]

WhatsApp to let users share music audio during video call

WhatsApp, a Meta-owned instant messaging platfrom has started to roll out a new feature which will enable users to share music audio while they are on a video call. The feature has been rolled out for some Android beta testers, and it is expected to roll out soon for all the users (timeline not specific, by the time of writing).

According to the WABetaInfo report, "Specifically, when someone in the call shares their screen, the audio they play on their device will also be shared with other people in the call. It’s important to note that this feature also works in individual calls, allowing users to enjoy a synchronised audio experience even in one-on-one video conversations."

As per the report, the new feature will not only promote a sense of togetherness in group interactions but also bring an added layer of intimacy to one-on-one conversations.

Furthermore, users who are on a WhatsApp call can also watch videos together, experimenting with shared audio during their video calls, enabling the participants to synchronise their video playback experiences, creating a virtual movie-watching or content-sharing session.

The feature will be rolling out to even more people over the coming weeks, the report further stated.

Meanwhile, WhatsApp is developing a feature that will let users search for others through their usernames. Users will now be able to search for others by entering their username into the search bar, in a future update of the web client.

Indiatvnews

 

[Nairrk]

WhatsApp’s latest beta update fixes a major camera bug

WhatsApp recently released an update to its Android beta version (2.24.2.20), addressing a critical camera bug that had been troubling beta testers. The bug, identified in the previous update, prevented users from starting the camera within the app. This issue was particularly problematic when trying to capture and share photos or videos directly through WhatsApp chats or the updates tab.

Many beta testers reported encountering an error message advising them to restart their device whenever they attempted to use the camera feature. However, neither restarting the phone nor force-closing the app resolved the issue. This persistent problem hindered the user experience, as capturing and sharing visual content is a key aspect of the WhatsApp experience.

Recognizing the severity of this issue, WhatsApp promptly worked on a solution. The new update, available on the Google Play Store, not only introduces a bug fix but also brings an exciting new file-sharing feature that allows users to share files with people nearby. This addition enhances the app’s functionality, making file sharing more convenient and efficient.

It’s important for users, especially those who have the auto-update feature enabled, to download and install this latest beta version to avoid any disruptions in using the camera feature. The update ensures a smoother, bug-free experience, allowing users to utilize the camera and share media as intended.

NewsBytes

 

[Nairrk]

WhatsApp's Status tab could get a makeover soon

• A redesigned Status section may soon arrive on WhatsApp for Android, making updates more prominent and easier to preview.
• WhatsApp currently shows a circular display image within the Status tab, with users required to individually tap each contact to see their updates.
• Though only available in beta for now, the new card-style layout could be one of those features that makes the cut to the stable version.

Most of WhatsApp's recent changes revolve around features like Channels, which was introduced widely last year. Recent updates to the app have given us a decent idea of what's to come, including the ability to share Channel posts in the form of a status. It now looks like WhatsApp is prepping a redesign for the Status section within the Updates tab that houses both Status and Channel posts.

We're getting a good look at this new redesign of the Status tab courtesy of WABetaInfo, who found it within v2.24.4.23 of WhatsApp beta for Android. This update basically makes the status section more prominent within the Updates tab. However, it looks like the change is only appearing to a handful of beta testers at the moment, so even having the latest version installed may not show the revamped design.

While WABetaInfo's screenshot only shows a preview of the self-uploaded status, updates from your contacts should appear right next to them in a card-style format. By contrast, the older design of the Status section leverages a circular icon bearing the user's display picture. This redesign also provides a quick preview of the status you or your contacts have posted.

Current design of the Status tab (left); Newly spotted card-style previews (right)​

One possible concern here is that these card-based status previews take more space away from the list of Channel updates. However, previews are definitely the way to go for status updates so that users can easily pick the updates they want to view or skip. If multiple status updates are posted, users should be able to view the first one within the preview. We presume tapping the preview would open up a list of the other viewable updates from that particular contact.

Since this redesign of the Status tab has only appeared within WhatsApp beta, it's too early to tell if it will ever make it to the stable version of the app in the future. But considering how this redesign offers a significant improvement over the existing status previews, we hope it makes the cut.

Androidpolice

 

[Nairrk]

WhatsApp introduces a new way to search old messages by date

Meta has just made it a lot easier to search for old messages on WhatsApp. With the latest update, users can now search for a specific message or media on WhatsApp by choosing the date. This allows users to look for a message from a specific event without scrolling through the entire chat window.

The update is currently rolling out to both Android and iPhone users, and the same feature is also available for WhatsApp web users and those who use WhatsApp on a PC or Mac. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, has also shared the same via his channel on WhatsApp.

To search for a WhatsApp message from a specific date, go to the chat or group, click on the name, and select “search.” On Android phones, you will find a calendar icon in the top right corner, while the same on an iPhone is available at the bottom right corner.

Click on the calendar icon, select the date, and WhatsApp will automatically take you to the messages from that specific date. This makes it easy to navigate through old messages on WhatsApp, especially for those who have been using WhatsApp for years.

WhatsApp has introduced a lot of new features over the last few months. It recently introduced different text formatting options such as bold, italic, strikethrough, monospace, and more. WhatsApp has also introduced several security-centric features, making WhatsApp a safe platform. If you are a WhatsApp user on Android, do note that you can no longer backup your chats on Google Drive for free, as WhatsApp chats are now considered against the allocated storage quota on WhatsApp.

The Indian Express

 

[Nairrk]

WhatsApp new update moves navigation bar from top to bottom on Android

WhatsApp, the popular messaging service, has rolled out a new update for Android users. The update brings a redesigned navigation bar to the bottom of the screen, replacing the previous top-of-screen placement.

The company announced the latest update via an X/Twitter post. The company says they “moved some things around to make it easier to access what you need when you need it.”

With a new design, while users will still see tabs for Communities, Chats, Status, and Calls, the order has now been rearranged. Additionally, the “Status” tab has been renamed to “Updates”.

Now, all four tabs feature dedicated icons for easier identification, whereas previously only the Communities tab displayed an icon. The color scheme has also shifted from a green navigation bar to a white one.

The bottom placement puts the navigation bar closer to the user’s thumbs, minimizing the need to stretch across larger phone screens. Users can now quickly tap icons to move between sections, in addition to swiping between them.

The updated navigation initially appeared in India, but WhatsApp has now expanded the rollout globally. Android users should update their WhatsApp app from the Google Play Store to access the new design.

In related news, WhatsApp is testing a third-party chat management feature in the app. The feature has been rolled out in a beta update for Android at the beginning of March.

Essentially, this would allow WhatsApp users to message users from other platforms like Telegram or Signal. This would be a game-changer for users as they wouldn’t need to create separate accounts or do multiple sign-ins to chat with users of other platforms.

India Tv news

 

[Nairrk]

WhatsApp to show recently Online contacts

WhatsApp is seemingly working on a couple of new features where it will allow users to check contacts who were recently online through the contacts page. Aside from that, the app could also allow users to privately mention other of their contacts in their Status updates. Here’s what all is known about the features.

Both the new features were spotted by WABetaInfo, the WhatsApp feature tracker. According to its report, a new section listing recent online contacts is available within the contacts list to some WhatsApp beta testers on Android. The new menu displays a limited number of recently active contacts, particularly when attempting to select contacts to place a call with, as shown in the screenshot below.

The tracker notes that the feature prioritizes user privacy, as contacts who have disabled their last seen and online updates will have this information hidden from this list.

Aside from this feature, WhatsApp is also working on the ability to privately mention contacts in status updates. With it enabled, when a contact is mentioned in a status update, only they will receive a notification specifically for that mention, ensuring they are always promptly informed. Only the mentioned contacts will know that they were mentioned in the update and only they’ll be notified.

The tracker also notes that muting a status update will prevent users from receiving any mentions from the muted contact. In addition, mentioned contacts won’t appear in status updates because they are always private, ensuring they stay confidential and only visible to the intended recipients. This feature will be available in the app in the future and is currently in development.

Meanwhile, WhatsApp officially announced the Chat filters feature in the app. To start, you can choose between three filters that will appear at the top of your chat list: All, Unread and Groups, which can be selected with just a tap. It will make the users’ experience more organized, find your most important conversations in a convenient manner and navigate through messages more efficiently.

Themobileindian

 

[Nairrk]

WhatsApp Calls Will Now Be Quieter, Clearer, And More Stable

WhatsApp has announced a slew of new enhancements for its Voice and Video calls, including new features and a new MLow codec by Meta which improves call reliability. The new features include the ability to add up to 32 participants in a Video call across all the users’ devices.

hatsApp said in a blog post, “Today we have several updates that will make calls across your devices even bigger and better, rolling out over the next few weeks.” The new features include the ability to share audio while you are sharing your screen. WhatsApp says this improves the experience of watching videos together.

here’s the Speaker Spotlight feature where one can instantly see who’s talking as WhatsApp will highlight the user who is speaking and will show them first on the screen. This is a useful feature for those who regularly go on group voice or video calls with a high number of participants.

MLow Audio Codec: All Details
Furthermore, audio and video calls on WhatsApp will support the new MLow codec which improves call reliability. Calls made on mobile devices benefit from improved noise and echo cancellation, making it easier to have calls in noisy environments, and video calls have higher Resolution for those with faster connections. Audio is crisper overall, even if you have poor network connectivity or are using an older device, according to WhatsApp.

The Meta Low Bitrate audio codec, aka MLow, achieves two-times-better quality than Opus (POLQA MOS 1.89 vs 3.9 @ 6kbps WB). Meta says the enahnced quality was achieved while keeping MLow’s computational complexity 10 percent lower than that of Opus. The audio samples shared by the company on its website support its statements, as the MLow samples sound considerably clearer than Opus ones.

Meta notes that it has fully launched MLow to all Instagram and Messenger calls and are actively rolling it out on WhatsApp. The company adds that MLow has significantly enhanced audio quality on low-end devices while still ensuring calls are end-to-end encrypted.

Themobileindian

 

[Nairrk]

WhatsApp Chat Themes on Android Now Rolling Out in Beta

WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.24.21.34.

As you can see from the attached screenshot, some beta testers can explore a feature that allows them to change the chat theme. Users can select a default chat theme that will be applied to all conversations right within the app settings, ensuring a uniform and consistent look across the entire application. However, for those who prefer variety, WhatsApp also offers the ability to set a different theme for specific chats by tapping the overflow menu within a conversation. Here, users can choose the theme option to customize their chats based on their preferences. It's important to note that users can choose from a wide variety of themes, allowing them to assign different themes to various chats. For example, they can select one theme for personal chats, another for work-related conversations, and a completely different one for group chats. With over 22 distinct themes and 20 color options available, users have extensive options to customize their chats, making it easier to visually differentiate between different types of conversations based on their context.

Every time a user selects a theme, a message color will automatically be applied to complement the chosen theme. This design decision ensures that the aesthetic of the conversation remains visually cohesive, with the message color and theme working together to create a unified look. However, users also have the option to further personalize their chats by choosing a different wallpaper while keeping the selected message color. This flexibility allows users to create a distinct appearance for each conversation, even if they are using the same theme, ensuring that their chats reflect their unique preferences.

An important aspect of this feature is that theme customization is private. When a user selects a theme for a specific chat, it will only be visible on their device. The recipient of the chat will not see any changes in appearance, meaning each user can enjoy their own personalized chat experience without imposing it on others. This preserves privacy and allows for individual expression without affecting the messaging experience for other participants.

It's worth noting that this feature is currently available only to a limited number of users in order to gather feedback and ensure that it works without critical issues. By gradually rolling out the ability to choose chat themes, WhatsApp can test performance, identify any issues, and make necessary adjustments before a wider release. This phased approach allows the developers to address potential bugs and optimize the user experience based on real-world usage data from beta testers. This means that if the feature isn't available on your WhatsApp account yet, there's no issue with your account. The rollout is happening in stages, and you'll have access once WhatsApp completes testing and expands the feature to more users.

A feature to choose a chat theme among 20 different colors is available to some beta testers who install the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store, and it is rolling out to even more people over the coming weeks.

wabetainfo

 

[Nairrk]

WhatsApp introduces online counter for group chats

WhatsApp is testing a new feature for group chats in its latest beta update. Identified via version 2.24.25.30 available through the Google Play Beta Program, the WhatsApp beta update adds an online counter feature.

The new online counter appears at the top of group chats to show how many people in the group have WhatsApp open and are online. This replaces the old feature that showed a summary of who was typing or recording a message.

Now, you can quickly see how many members are active in the group at any moment. This feature helps you to understand when it might be a good time to send a message or start a conversation.

Notably, the online counter only includes members who haven’t turned off their online status option in their privacy settings. If a user has hidden their online status, they won’t be counted, which ensures their privacy.

This feature can be especially useful in busy groups, as it lets you know when most people are online. Currently, the online counter is available to some beta testers, and it will gradually be rolled out to more users in the coming weeks.

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