Tag: whatsapp

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Mobile Syrup

WhatsApp now uses native technology for Windows app users

WhatsApp has launched a revamped version of its app for Windows, using the company’s native technology.

The changes have resulted in the app being more reliable and faster. Messages can also be sent when a user has their phone offline.

As reported by 9to5Mac, a similar update will follow for Mac users. WhatsApp released a public beta for Mac last month, utilizing ‘Catalyst,’ a tool for porting iOS apps to macOS.

Similar to its Windows counterpart, the macOS app will also be faster and work even when the user’s phone is offline.

Windows users can download the desktop app here. More information on how to download the Mac beta is available on WhatsApp’s website.

Source: WhatsApp Via: 9to5Mac

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Mobile Syrup

WhatsApp now gives users two days to delete their messages

WhatsApp has extended its timeline to delete messages to a generous two days.

The company shared the news on Twitter, garnering thousands of replies.

Rethinking some of your recently sent messages? Here’s how to get rid of them:

  • make sure you have the most recent version of the app
  • select the message you want to delete by holding onto it
  • click the little garbage can to delete
  • pick from “delete for everyone” and “delete for me.”

Source: @WhatsApp Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

WhatsApp now lets you react with any emoji, not just six

WhatsApp users on Android and iOS can now react to messages with any emoji.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckberg announced the news in a Facebook post. This feature comes just a few months after WhatsApp began offering the ability to react to messages using only six emoji.

To access the feature, long-press the message you want to react to, which will bring up a menu containing six common reactions and a new plus icon to reveal every other emoji.

It should be noted that the emoji reaction expansion is starting to roll out globally now, so you might not see it yet. (For what it’s worth, I still only have the original six on my iPhone.) Therefore, you may need to stay tuned to WhatsApp in the coming days.

Source: Facebook

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Mobile Syrup

WhatsApp is adding more variety for emoji reactions

WhatsApp is adding more emoji capabilities with its new emoji reactions option for when you want to react to a message.

The emoji reaction feature launched in May 2022, and it’s now receiving an upgrade regarding to the amount of emojis you can use. The update is still in beta form but a screenshot from WABetaInfo shows a ‘+’ icon on the end of the emojis that suggests it’s on the way.

By tapping on the new button, hundreds of emojis can be accessed from Unicode emoji. However, it’s only available for beta testers and was teased by Mark Zuckerberg, with no official release date.

WhatsApp is also in the process of developing creative avatars for video calls and messaging others.

Sources: WABetaInfo Via: Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

WhatsApp joining the emoji club with avatars in development for video calls

WhatsApp is currently developing a new creative emoji concept with custom avatars coming soon for video calls.

In a report by WABetaInfo, a screenshot shows a video call with the option to ‘switch to avatar,’ which will likely allow users to use their custom avatar instead of their face or original profile picture on their account.

The button doesn’t currently work as it is still in development but the screenshot suggests it will most likely be part of the feature once it’s ready for release.

There’s no knowledge of what the design of the avatars will look like, however, there is a blur tool for its image editor in the Desktop beta coming soon.

WhatsApp also released a new shortcut called ‘Orders’ within threads that creates orders for businesses that communicate with customers from the app.

Sources: WABetaInfo Via: Android Police

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Mobile Syrup

WhatsApp testing ability to hide ‘Last Seen’ status from specific contacts on iOS

WhatsApp is starting to test its new hide ‘Last Seen’ status option. Beta testers are now able to hide their status from specific contacts as a part of the company’s new privacy setting.

Those with access to beta version 22.9.0.70 on iOS will be the first to try out the feature. Reports indicate that the feature is live. Once accessible, users can navigate to the ‘Privacy’ setting. In the ‘Last Seen’ option, users can select between ‘Everyone,’ ‘My Contacts,’ ‘Nobody,’ and the newly implemented ‘My Contacts Except…’

As the report clarifies, users do not have to set the status to ‘Nobody’ if the status is disabled due to certain contacts. Additionally, when you block contacts from seeing your ‘Last Seen’ status on WhatsApp, you won’t be able to see theirs. WhatsApp is reportedly aiming to implement the same option for a user’s “profile picture” and “about” information.

This same feature was introduced on Android a few weeks ago. Beta testers on iOS now have access to the same privacy settings. Though, of course, access to beta version 22.9.0.70 through TestFlight is required.

It’s worth noting that more beta testers will gain access to the feature as time goes on. WhatsApp will likely increase the number of testers throughout the next few days.

The introduction of the ‘Last Seen’ privacy setting is the latest new feature from WhatsApp. Recently, WhatsApp added the ability to react to messages with emojis. Currently, the feature is limited in scope with only a handful of emojis available. However, future updates in the pipeline aim to implement Communities and support 2GB file sharing. However, it’s still unclear when these features will be accessible.

Image credit: WABetaInfo

Source: WABetaInfo

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Mobile Syrup

WhatsApp now finally supports emoji reactions

WhatsApp emoji reactions are finally here. The Meta-owned company has confirmed that emoji reactions are available on iOS and Android.

One common request from WhatsApp users has been emoji reactions. Previously, to react to a message with an emoji, you’d need to send them as an individual message. Moving forward, WhatsApp allows users to select a message and react with one of six emojis.

WhatsApp limits the number of available emoji reactions currently. Of the selection, users can choose from thumbs up, heart, laughing face, teardrop face, shocked, and the praying hand symbol. However, Head of WhatsApp Will Cathcart confirms that “all emojis and skin tones” are coming.

Emoji reactions are commonplace on social media and messaging platforms. Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram all support emoji reactions. Competing platforms such as Slack and Discord also offer a full range of emoji reaction support.

In a series of follow-up tweets, Cathcart allows confirms that the company aims to increase the max file size to 2GB for sharing. This is a drastic step up from the current 100mb. Additionally, WhatsApp will soon support up to 32-person conference calls. Cathcart claims these calls can “start with just one tap.”

Concluding the thread, Cathcart discusses the importance of end-to-end encryption and how the company’s privacy security measures can help Communities. This new feature launches later this year.

Emoji reaction support is another step in WhatsApp having a level experience across all of Meta’s apps.

Image credit: WhatsApp

Source: @wcathcart Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Meta reportedly working on a virtual currency for its range of products

METAVERSE META FACEBOOK. Silhouette of smartphone with Facebook, Messenger, whatsApp, Instagram, Oculus apps and blurred META logo on background. Rebrand of Facebook. Stafford, UK, October 28, 2021

A new Financial Timesreport suggests that Meta might be looking into adding virtual tokens and cryptocurrencies to its range of apps and products in a bid to attract more users and reward creators.

The move, which is still in its early ‘planning phase’ comes as a result of Meta’s broader goal of popularizing the metaverse, with Meta employees nicknaming the virtual currency “Zuck Bucks” (Zuckerberg Bucks).

Early details of the move suggest that Meta-owned apps and platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and the Meta Quest virtual reality platform would use the virtual token integration for in-app payments, sending money to friends and family, tipping your favourite creators like on Twitter and as an in-app or in-game currency in Quest titles.

According to the Financial Times, the token/currency won’t be based on the blockchain, and instead, will be owned by Meta.  “We have no updates to share today,” Said a Meta spokesperson in a statement given to the Financial Times. “We continuously consider new product innovations for people, businesses, and creators. As a company, we are focused on building for the metaverse and that includes what payments and financial services might look like.”

It’s worth noting that ‘Zuck Bucks’ are still in their early life where they’re nothing more than an idea. At least that’s what the report suggests. Meta might scrap plans for the virtual currency, but considering how adamant ‘Zuck’ is about pushing the metaverse down everyone’s throat, I would expect the virtual currency to be a reality sooner than later.

This comes soon after Zuckerberg announced that NFTs will arrive on Instagram ‘in the near term.’

Source: The Financial Times

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Mobile Syrup

Android to iOS WhatsApp chat migration appears to be in the works

Transferring WhatsApp chats from iOS to an Android device has been possible since last year, but the Meta-owned instant messaging platform is now rolling out expanded chat migration that will allow users to move their chats from an Android device to an iOS one.

As spotted by WABetaInfo in WhatsApp beta ‘version 22.2.74’ for iOS, expanded chat migration tools will be available soon to Android users running Android 12. Users would also need to Move to iOS app on their Android device.

As seen in the screenshot above (via WABetaInfo), WhatsApp will ask you if you want to import your chat history when you open WhatsApp for the first time on an iOS device. If you skip the step here, you won’t be able to import chats later.

Based on the information available so far, there’s no timeframe as to when the feature will finally make its way to Android devices, but the fact that it showed up in an upcoming update’s beta indicates that WhatsApp is clearly working on it.

Image credit: WABetaInfo

Source: WABetaInfo

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Mobile Syrup

WhatsApp will soon let you listen to voice notes while in different chats

You’ll soon be able to play and listen to WhatsApp voice messages while browsing through other chats and messages on the Facebook Meta-owned instant messaging platform.

According to WABetaInfo, the new feature is currently in development and was first spotted exactly three months ago in a WhatsApp Beta for iOS. At that time, WABetaInfo mentioned that the feature would also be introduced to the Android app, and now it is visible in the WhatsApp beta for ‘Android 2.22.3.1.’

As seen in the image above, when you play a voice note and return to your chat list, WhatsApp displays a new UI interface with buttons to pause, resume, or dismiss the voice note, along with a progress bar to rewind or forward the voice message.

According to WABetaInfo, the feature is still in development and will be released to beta testers at a later date. The new feature will definitely come in handy when you want to multitask. For example, you would be able to continue listening to a voice message, all while replying to a separate conversation.

Image credit: WABetaInfo

Source: WABetaInfo