Highlights
- WhatsApp for iPad to offer dedicated app experience.
- Email address verification boosts account security.
- Alternate profile creation enhances user privacy.
- Animated avatars introduce fun to video calls.
WhatsApp users appear to be in for a treat if the latest rumours are to be believed.
The platform’s messaging experience in 2024 is likely to be revamped with a suite of new features.
From expanding its reach to iPad users to introducing email address verifications, these updates are poised to enhance user interaction and security on the platform.
Let’s delve into the details of what WhatsApp has in store for the coming year.
Alternate Profile Creation
The ability to create alternate profiles will enable users to have different identities for various groups, such as professional contacts, family, or friends, all the while being linked to the same number.
The feature is currently under beta testing, and we should know about it soon.
Each profile can have its unique name and picture, allowing users to maintain distinct personas on the same platform.
This level of personalisation and privacy control is a more than welcome addition with lines between professional and personal lives getting blurred on the platform.
WhatsApp for iPad
For years, iPad users have been anticipating a dedicated WhatsApp application, and 2024 is set to fulfil this long-standing demand.
This development will finally allow iPad users to access WhatsApp in a format optimized for their device, rather than relying on the Web version.
However, the app is expected to work in a companion mode and will necessitate users to connect via their smartphones, mirroring messages across devices.
While certain functionalities like Status updates or Live Location sharing might not be available, the convenience factor this app brings is undeniable.
Email Address Verification
Apart from this, WhatsApp is now taking user security to the next level by introducing email address-based account verification.
This feature, currently in beta testing for both Android and iOS users, adds an extra layer of security, allowing users to recover their accounts more efficiently.
Earlier verification for your account could only be done via your phone number.
This method will negate the need for it, aligning with previous reports that the company is lowering its dependency on mobile numbers.
Users can activate this feature in their account settings, providing them a safeguard against potential security breaches.
The rollout of this feature is eagerly awaited, marking a significant shift from WhatsApp’s traditional phone number-based verification.
Search Chat by Date on WhatsApp Web
The Search Chat by Date feature, already popular on mobile versions, is going to be extended to WhatsApp Web.
This functionality will allow users to pinpoint specific messages quickly by choosing a particular date from a calendar interface.
For users who rely on WhatsApp for professional communication, the Search Chat by Date addition comes as a welcome change as it simplifies the task of navigating through extensive chat histories.
A beta test for the same is ongoing and the roll-out is expected sometime in 2024.
Group Chat Events
Users can create events complete with all necessary details, akin to Google Calendar Events.
This feature is particularly beneficial for planning group activities, events, or meetings, without having to leave the app to do so.
Video Calls with Animated Avatars
Finally, the new avatar feature for WhatsApp video calls will allow users to use digital avatars that mimic their facial expressions and movements in real-time.
These calls, similar to regular ones, will be end-to-end encrypted and users can switch between avatar and standard video modes.
This feature adds a fun element to calls and is ideal for users who prefer not to show their faces, similar to existing features on other Meta-owned platforms like Instagram.
FAQs
What is the Significance of WhatsApp’s iPad App Launch?
Set for release in 2024, the WhatsApp iPad app will bridge the gap for iPad users, providing an optimized experience over the current Web version.
The app is expected to function in companion mode, requiring smartphone connectivity, and promises to deliver enhanced convenience despite some limitations in features like Status updates and Live Location sharing.
How Will Email Address Verification Impact WhatsApp Users?
WhatsApp’s introduction of email address verification, currently in beta for Android and iOS, represents a significant security upgrade.
This feature will offer an alternative to phone number-based verification, allowing for a more efficient account recovery process and adding an extra layer of security to user accounts.
Can Users Create Alternate Profiles on WhatsApp?
Yes, WhatsApp is testing the creation of alternate profiles, enabling users to maintain different identities for diverse contact groups while linked to the same number.
This feature, under beta testing, is expected to provide greater personalization and privacy, especially useful for users juggling between personal and professional interactions on the same platform.
What Does the Animated Avatars Feature Entail for Video Calls?
The animated avatars feature for video calls will let users employ digital avatars that mimic their real-time facial expressions and movements.
End-to-end encrypted like regular calls, this feature offers a playful twist to video interactions and a comfortable alternative for those preferring not to show their faces.
What Changes Will Be Made to Group Chat Events in WhatsApp?
WhatsApp’s upcoming Group Chat Events feature allows users to organize events within their group chats.
This function will enable users to set event details like date, time, and agenda directly in the app, mirroring the functionality of tools like Google Calendar.
This feature is aimed at simplifying event planning and communication within groups, making it easier to coordinate activities or meetings without leaving the app.
How does the new pin messages feature enhance WhatsApp usability?
WhatsApp’s newly introduced pin messages feature significantly improves chat management by allowing users to highlight crucial messages in any conversation.
By pinning a message, it remains at the top of the chat, ensuring important information is readily accessible without scrolling.
This functionality is particularly useful in busy group chats or lengthy individual conversations where vital messages might otherwise get lost in the influx of texts.
Can I pin more than one message in a chat on WhatsApp?
Currently, WhatsApp allows only one message to be pinned per chat. This limitation ensures that the feature is used for highlighting the most critical message in a conversation.
If a new message is pinned, the previous one automatically gets unpinned. This feature maintains the simplicity and effectiveness of chat management without cluttering the top of the conversation.
Are there any privacy considerations with the pin messages feature on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp maintains its standard privacy protocols with the pin messages feature. In group chats, admins have the option to pin messages visible only to other admins, adding an extra layer of control and privacy.
For individual chats, the pinned message is only visible to the people in the conversation, adhering to WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption policy.
What other recent features has WhatsApp introduced alongside pinning messages?
Alongside the pin messages feature, WhatsApp has recently launched several other functionalities to enhance user experience.
These include ‘View Once’ audio messages that disappear after a single play, offering a secure way to share sensitive information.
The ‘Secret Code’ feature allows users to hide specific chats from the main chat list, accessible only through a secret code.
What is WhatsApp’s New View Once Voice Message Feature?
WhatsApp’s latest update introduces the View Once voice message feature, allowing users to send audio messages that disappear after being listened to once. This feature is designed for sharing sensitive information with added security.
How Can You Identify and Use View Once Voice Messages on WhatsApp?
View Once voice messages are marked with a distinct “one-time” icon. Users can send these messages by recording their audio in the chat, tapping the ‘1’ icon, and sending it. The message will automatically vanish after a single listen.
What Privacy Measures Does WhatsApp Ensure with This New Feature?
Consistent with WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption policy, View Once voice messages provide a secure way to share private information.
The messages remain encrypted, ensuring only the intended recipient can listen to them once.
What is the ‘View Once’ feature on WhatsApp?
The ‘View Once’ feature on WhatsApp lets users send photos and videos that can be viewed only once by the recipient. After being opened, these media files disappear from the chat and are not saved.
On which platforms is the ‘View Once’ feature now available?
Initially available on WhatsApp’s mobile version, the ‘View Once’ feature has now been extended to desktop and web platforms, including WhatsApp Web, Windows, and macOS.
How can users access the ‘View Once’ feature on WhatsApp’s desktop version?
To use the ‘View Once’ feature on WhatsApp’s desktop version, users need to select the ‘View Once’ icon located above the send button after capturing a photo or video. This ensures the media is sent in a single-view mode.
Are there any privacy concerns with the ‘View Once’ feature?
While the ‘View Once’ feature enhances privacy by ensuring photos and videos disappear after viewing, recipients can still capture the content through screenshots or screen recordings.
It’s important to be mindful of this when using the feature.
What is another new feature that WhatsApp is developing for iPhone users?
WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will allow iPhone users to share their audio while screen-sharing during video calls.
This feature enables participants in a video call to listen to video and music audio together in real-time.
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