WhatsApp is always working on developing new features and releases them continuously.
The Meta-owned company recently redesigned its interface but is also rolling out other features.
Before a feature is released to the public, beta testers have access to a working version of the app to check for potential bugs.
Data Service WABetaInfo details the latest Android, iOS and Web Beta developments as well as new feature releases for publicly available apps.
Below are four recent changes Data Services has highlighted.
WhatsApp AI for Business
Speaking at the Global Conversation event in Sao Paulo, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company is always looking to introduce new tools to WhatsApp to meet the needs of its users.
One of the biggest announcements was the introduction of enterprise AI tools.
These tools help users find the information they need efficiently.
“This includes the possibility for certain businesses to embed Meta's AI services into their conversations, simplifying customer inquiry management through AI integration,” WABetaInfo said.
The new feature is available to some users who have installed the latest update of WhatsApp for Android and iOS, and is expected to roll out to more users in the coming months.
Louder Calls
WhatsApp has also introduced a feature that allows users to call large businesses directly from the chat interface.
“This one-tap to call option will be particularly useful for complex enquiries, such as making complicated travel arrangements or opening a new bank account, where a live conversation can provide faster, more personalised support.”
“In previous updates, this feature was not available, meaning businesses that rely on cloud providers were unable to receive calls.”
The feature is currently being tested and will be made available to more businesses in the coming months.
Status Order Updates
A new beta for Android shows that WhatsApp is updating the order of status updates.
The messaging service prioritizes important contacts over others and their updates appear at the top of the list.
WhatsApp's ranking system uses several statistics to identify important contacts.
- Frequent contact: The app queries a local database to prioritize contacts that the user chats with frequently, indicating a higher level of interaction and importance.
- Pinned ContactsPinned chats indicate that you have prioritized certain conversations. These are[更新]It also takes precedence within a tab.
- Recent Messages: Recently photographed contacts are prioritized to reflect the immediacy and relevance of your interactions with them.
- Expired Status Update: When a status update is about to expire, it is a priority to ensure that users can see a timely update before it disappears.
I can't take screenshots
The new beta for iOS also reveals that it's no longer possible to take screenshots of profile pictures in WhatsApp.
This feature adds an extra layer of privacy protection by preventing users from sharing other people's photos without their consent.
This reduces the chances of profile photo abuse.
“We recognize that users may still take images using other devices or cameras, but blocking screenshot functionality within the app will significantly reduce unauthorized sharing of profile photos.”
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