WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, owned by Meta, which is Facebook’s parent company. It has managed to stay ahead with regular updates, enhancing the user experience with each update. Insights from WhatsApp Beta development tips shared by WABetaInfo give us a glimpse of what to anticipate from upcoming WhatsApp updates. Here are five forthcoming WhatsApp features you should be aware of.
Clickable links on WhatsApp Status
WhatsApp Status updates, similar to ‘stories’ found on various platforms, will soon allow hyperlinks on the caption in status updates. This feature will enable users to share URLs to their websites, as well as other interesting pages they discover online. Viewers can easily click on the links to access the content.
WhatsApp Premium for businesses
WhatsApp is developing a WhatsApp Premium subscription model for WhatsApp Business users. Comparable to services like Telegram Premium, WhatsApp premium will provide additional benefits to business users as long as they subscribe to the service. These benefits include custom business links and the capability to link more than four devices to a single account. Further enhancements may be expected upon the launch of the subscription.
WhatsApp sidebar and Status replies coming to WhatsApp Desktop
WhatsApp Desktop users will soon have access to a new sidebar and status replies. The status replies feature allows users to view and respond to stories from their contacts, similar to mobile functionality. The sidebar will offer easy navigation to the status updates tab, settings, and profile.
WhatsApp Business to get a new Business Tool Tab
WhatsApp Business users will soon see a new tab on the app’s main page. Replacing the camera tab, the Business Tool tab will serve as a central hub for business users to access Business Tools conveniently without navigating through in-app settings. These tools include Business Profile management, Catalog settings, and integration with Facebook and Instagram through ads.
Screenshot blocking
WhatsApp is implementing a feature to prevent users from taking screenshots, currently in beta testing. This feature will soon be accessible to all stable users. Users can configure screenshot blocking and screen-recording blocks for media files shared with friends and contacts, ensuring privacy by preventing unauthorized screenshots of ‘View Once’ media.
WhatsApp recently launched an upgraded desktop app for Windows. Initially available for Windows 11, it is now also accessible in Pakistan on Windows 10 through the Microsoft Store. If you already have the web app, it will be automatically updated.
Existing desktop app users on Windows will receive an automatic update to the new version. The refreshed app features a redesigned UI, offering smoother performance and better compatibility with Windows 11’s modern design. Pakistan users will now enjoy a brand new sidebar for added functionality, a feature not available in the initial release.
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