WhatsApp Gets Updates to Group Chats, Events, Calls, Channels, More

[MacRumors]

WhatsApp has announced a laundry list of new features aimed at enhancing the user experience across chats, calls, and channels, with some of the features available now or currently rolling out.

Among the most notable additions is a new "Online" indicator for group chats, which shows how many people are currently active in a conversation without revealing specific names. The feature makes it easier to see whether members are available or if you're messaging into a quiet group.

For users overwhelmed by group notifications, WhatsApp has introduced customizable alert settings. The new "Notify for" option allows users to choose between receiving all notifications or only "Highlights" – which includes @mentions, replies, and messages from saved contacts.

The encrypted chat platform has also expanded its Events functionality, which was previously limited to groups. Users can now create events in one-on-one conversations, add RSVP options including "maybe," invite plus-ones, and pin events directly in chats.

Elsewhere, communication has been made more interactive with tappable reactions. When someone reacts to a message, users can simply tap on that reaction to add their own or to "+1" the existing emoji, similar to platforms like Slack.

Video calling has received several improvements, including a more reliable connection system designed to reduce freezing and dropped calls. WhatsApp says it has optimized its routing system to find the best connection path and improved bandwidth detection to upgrade video quality to HD faster when internet speed allows.

Meanwhile, iPhone users are set to gain some platform-specific features, including the ability to pinch-to-zoom during video calls, and document scanning directly from the attachment menu. As previously reported, users can also now set WhatsApp as their default call and messaging app on iPhone.

Lastly, for Channels, WhatsApp is rolling out tools for admins to record and share short video clips up to 60 seconds long, generate unique QR codes for easy channel sharing, and provide transcripts of voice messages for followers who can't listen to audio updates.

Most of these features are now available in the latest stable build of WhatsApp for both iPhone and Android, although some users may need to wait a few weeks as the rollout completes.


Article Link: WhatsApp Gets Updates to Group Chats, Events, Calls, Channels, More

 

[Havalo]

Unfortunately, while the features and application usage are remarkable, they fall short in terms of trust because of their lack of transparency. It would be wise to consider making it open source, Marky!

 

[kiranmk2]

Great...now where's that iPad app?

 

[WaltEvor]

WhatsApp has announced a laundry list of new features (…)

Did they create an iPad version by now already?

 

[rybak17]

First, let him learn to use iPadOS and WachOS.

 

[martin2345uk]

In before a hundred "WhatsCrap, no thanks" and "Trust META with my data??"

 

[MartyMcfly88]

In before a hundred "WhatsCrap, no thanks" and "Trust META with my data??"

Yup. Outside the US and China WhatsApp is by far the biggest messaging app. It just works for many people especially group chats.

 

[xander49x]

Deleted WhatsApp years ago and will never use it again Meta can't be trusted.

 

[it wasnt me]

Outside the US and China WhatsApp is by far the biggest messaging app.

Most of my German friends prefer Signal and/or Telegram (and Threema, to some extent). I don't even have WhatsApp.

 

[martin2345uk]

I could delete the app, but I would then miss out on no less than 3 separate (massive) work groups where a lot of useful info is posted; 2 family group chats (including grandparents so really no convincing them to 'use Signal' etc!) and several friend group chats where it's just nice to be included yaknow

 

[Robert.Walter]

How does What’s App generate revenue to cover its existence?

 

[Nick_Australia]

Over here in Australia, WhatsApp is heavily used. A lot for family and friends group chats.

I’m curious how this need is met in America?

 

[Reason077]

Have they added an option to hide that annoying, ugly, floating AI button that they added in the last update? So intrusive!

 

[it wasnt me]

How does What’s App generate revenue to cover its existence?

Selling your data to assho... sorry, my auto-correction kicked in. I mean: to friendly, lovely advertisers.

 

[Reason077]

Over here in Australia, WhatsApp is heavily used. A lot for family and friends group chats.

I’m curious how this need is met in America?

Presumably they use iMessage, which is pretty dominant in the Americas. I assume it has a group chat feature?

 

[Sophytaylor6@]

We need more features related to the themes and dashboard modifications. I hope WhatsApp will add them in the future.

 

[Ctrlos]

Bloat for the sake of progress. Get rid of everything apart from the IM features and spin off video calls to a seperate app.

 

[joeblow7777]

Make an iPad app already. It can’t be that hard.

 

[LasNoches]

Apple needs to make iMessage a standalone app on android to compete with WhatsApp. Just give them a geeen bubble or another color to indicate they are using iMessage on android. It could be an incentive for people moving from android to easily import their chat history.

 

[LasNoches]

What happened with adding support to multiple phone numbers?

 

[joeblow7777]

Apple needs to make iMessage a standalone app on android to compete with WhatsApp. Just give them a geeen bubble or another color to indicate they are using iMessage on android. It could be an incentive for people moving from android to easily import their chat history.

I think (in theory, at least. I don't know how well it works) Android users can already import their chat history when they switch to iPhone. Making iMessage available on Android won't accomplish anything except give Android users one less reason to consider switching. That's no good for Apple. Apps and features like iMessage, FaceTime, Air Drop, etc. being exclusive to Apple devices is a large part of what draws people to the ecosystem and keeps them there.

 

[CapitalIdea]

Still owned by this guy? No thanks.

 

[nymphe]

In addition to an ipad version, they also should increase the quantity of connected devices. 4 is too low.

By the way on desktop (both pc and mac), I prefer the web version instead of the native app.

 

[timber]

Apple needs to make iMessage a standalone app on android to compete with WhatsApp. Just give them a geeen bubble or another color to indicate they are using iMessage on android. It could be an incentive for people moving from android to easily import their chat history.

That would have worked 10 years ago or something. Today I believe the ship has sailed.

iMessage will keep it's US stronghold and continue to irrelevance.

 

[Trausner]

The most important update would be an ipad app, then multiple account support and then maybe an Apple Watch app. All that other stuff only matters once the infrastructure stands.