WhatsApp is bridging the gap between Android and iOS users, both in the U.S. and internationally. The messaging and calling app—which remains free to use!—supports texts, voice messages, photos, videos, documents, location sharing, audio calls, and video calls, all of which are encrypted. And if WhatsApp is your primary method of communication, you’ll want to take note of these four major changes.
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1. WhatsApp is rolling out ads.
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WhatsApp is getting ads, a press release has confirmed. Sponsored advertisements will be limited to the Updates section, where Channels and Status are located.
“You’ll be able to find a new business and easily start a conversation with them about a product or service they’re promoting in Status,” the company said of the new feature.
WhatsApp explicitly stated that user privacy is still of the utmost importance. The company reiterated that “personal messages, calls, and statuses remain end-to-end encrypted” and advertisements will be based on “limited info.” This includes your country or city, language preference, Channel subscriptions, and ad interaction.
Also coming to WhatsApp: Channel subscriptions and Promoted Channels. The former allows creators to release exclusive content and updates “for a monthly fee.” Meanwhile, Promoted Channels helps accounts “increase their Channel’s visibility” through sponsored features (i.e., you might get served a “suggested follow” notification.)
“We’ve been talking about our plans to build a business that does not interrupt your personal chats for years and we believe the Updates tab is the right place for these new features to work,” said WhatsApp.
The messages tab remains unaffected by these new features, so you can chat with others as normal (A.K.A. ad-free).
2. WhatsApp’s latest update has nine new features, including animated emojis.
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From avatar stickers to invite links for group chats, the new features included in the most recent WhatsApp update are both fun and helpful. In a June press release, WhatsApp outlined nine standout additions. These include:
- Animated emojis
- Animated sticker maker (think: GIFs)
- Avatar social stickers (only available in one-to-one chats, where both people have avatars)
- Group chat invitation links
- Caption, react, and reply to an entire multi-media thread or to individual photos/videos
- New filters and effects for photos and video calls
- Photo polls on Channels
- Star updates on Channels
- Mention groups in your Status
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3. WhatsApp is now available on iPads.
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Calling all iPad users: WhatsApp has finally created an app that’s compatible with Apple tablets. The app is years in the making, following the 2016 release of the WhatsApp Mac app.
People first heard about the launch on X. WhatsApp announced the news in a May 27 post, which has since racked up over 14,000 likes.
In a press release, WhatsApp called the iPad app “one of our biggest requests.” Special iPadOS multitasking features include Stage Manager, Split View, and Slide Over, which allows users to send messages and use other apps while on an audio/video call. Speaking of which, users can now organize audio and video calls with up to 32 people on an iPad.
“WhatsApp for iPad uses our industry leading multi-device technology to keep everything in sync across your iPhone, Mac and other devices while protecting your personal messages, calls and media with end-to-end encryption, no matter what platform or device you’re messaging. Our extra layers of privacy, such as chat lock, mean that you can have private conversations in confidence even if you share your iPad with others,” said the company.
4. WhatsApp is beta testing AI-powered message summaries.
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WhatsApp is playing around with a new Meta AI-powered tool that summarizes unread messages in personal chats and group channels. The feature is currently being tested by members of the Google Play Beta Program, reports WABetaInfo.
“It’s designed to work seamlessly without compromising privacy or security, ensuring that even as users benefit from AI assistance, their personal messages remain entirely private and protected,” according to the site.
Users have to enable the AI tool for it to work—meaning, you can opt out of the feature. It’s located within the app’s settings under the Private Processing section.
“The user’s requests remain anonymous and unlinkable to their identity through secure private routing and encrypted connections,” assures WABetaInfo. Message summaries are only generated if “a certain number” of new texts are left unread.
It’s unclear when, or if, this feature will become available for all Android users, let alone those who have an iPhone.
Content shared from bestlifeonline.com.