WhatsApp is working on a handful of new features in recent weeks. Recently, some of them are being tested in the beta version, while others are presently in development. We gathered major features which can be deployed in the recent future.
Multi-device Support:
WhatsApp is working on multi-device support that will allow users to log in to WhatsApp accounts to multiple devices simultaneously, confirmed by WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart in a chat with WABetainfo.
As of now, WhatsApp only supports two devices at the same time, a phone and a desktop. However, you will need your phone for this to log on to your account on WhatsApp Web.
The new multi-device support will allow users to carry their chats over from one device to another. This means that once the feature gets rolled out, you will be able to log in via another phone or your iPad at the same time.
Instagram Reels on WhatsApp:
WhatsApp is soon going to add the option of Instagram Reels on WhatsApp, the feature will reportedly allow users to watch Instagram Reels directly from the messaging app. For those unaware, Instagram Reels is the short video feature, which was added to Instagram last year after the ban of Tiktok. Recently, Facebook also integrated Instagram reels into their platform. Now, it is being reported that Facebook is planning to add Instagram reels into WhatsApp too.
View Once:
The disappearing message feature was added to WhatsApp a few months ago. So, the messaging platform is now planning to bring the ability to send disappearing media as well. This feature will allow private conversations where messages disappear automatically after being viewed once by the recipient. This is useful for sensitive media that you do not wish the recipient to save.
WhatsApp Audio Message Fast Forward:
Currently, when we send or receive an audio message, we have to listen to it at its normal speed. When a message is too long, there is no option to fast forward it. Now, a Facebook-owned company is bringing the ability to fast-forward audio messages. The feature is said to allow users to control the speed of the audio messages with 1.5x or 2x speed.
‘Read Later’ will replace ‘Archived Chats’
Read Later is an improved version of the existing Archived Chats feature on WhatsApp combined with a new vacation mode. So, when you move a chat to “Vacation mode”, you won’t get notifications for that chat and the message will go to the “Read Later” option which can be used to read a message anytime. WhatsApp is also coming up with a customizing option for the mode like the edit button.
Join Missed Group Call
As of now, you cannot join the ongoing group call on WhatsApp, it must be restarted in order to join the group call. Hence, the company is also planning to improve its Group calling feature. This feature allows joining an ongoing group call that will allow you to join the group video or audio calls that you have missed.
Now, we have to just wait to get this WhatsApp features in future updates.