WhatsApp seems to have increased its pace in expanding as a social media. It rolled out its new updates for Android via the Google Play Beta Program with versions 2.17.434, 2.17.436, and 2.17.437. As for the desktop, WhatsApp Web submitted the new update upping the version to 0.2.7315.
For Android, WhatsApp is bringing a new shortcut feature called ‘Invite via link’ in the Group Info. It is the same as in the iOS version of the app. Only the group admins can view and access this particular feature.
Next, you can now send messages to your blocked contacts right from the Contact List. All you need to do is tap and hold the respective contact that will prompt you to unblock and send messages.
One of the most interesting new features of WhatsApp for Android is ‘Shake to Report.’ This will let you report anything wrong on the app just by shaking your device while you are in a chat. The shake will directly lead you to the Contact Us section, where you can send your feedback for the app to investigate and take action accordingly. It will present work in beta version only and is yet to be available.
WhatsApp is coming up with a group calling as well, and in its blog post on the Live Location feature, voice and video call buttons were noticed on a screenshot of a group. The app’s 2.17.70 iOS update has been introduced before, and now it is in the development stage. So far, you can call 2 other members of the group, which means that a group call conversation can have up to 3 participants. WhatsApp is working on increasing the number and other aspects like detecting if a member is already on another group call.
In technical terms, the encryption key of a group call (be it voice or video) changes every time a member joins or leaves the conversation. This ensures that the member who left will not be able to secretly access to the call again.
Besides updates for Android, WhatsApp is offering new essences for its desktop version too. The latest WhatsApp Web update can be used after clearing the cache of your browser for the app.
Among the new desktop features are ‘private replies’ and ‘picture in picture.’ The social media app is upgrading the reply feature that will get you to a new option, ‘Reply privately.’ Using the same will let you reply privately to a message that you received in a group.
As long as the ‘picture in picture or PiP is concerned, you will see a new icon while watching a video. Selecting the icon will start the video in PiP mode in a new window that has a smooth UI.
Don’t worry if you haven’t received any or some of the new features yet, as WhatsApp hasn’t started official rollouts; rather, developments and tests are still ongoing. But now that you have a taste of what is to come in the recent future, share your views in the comments below on these features. Keep following us for more of the latest tech updates.
