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Weekly overview of new, upcoming WhatsApp updates, features

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Meta-owned WhatsApp keeps improving user experience by introducing new updates and features to the application for all its versions — android, iOS, and desktop.

If you missed out on the latest updates and features being introduced to the instant messaging app, this is the time to catch up.

Some of the features are still under development and not yet available to all testers or they may gradually roll out to users in the coming weeks while some are available to the beta testers. 

If you are unable to use a certain feature, you need to for a future update of the app to access it.

Here is a wrap-up of the updates and new features.

Kept messages

WhatsApp announced that it’s releasing a kept messages section within the chat information. This feature allows users to keep messages from disappearing so that they can stay in the chat for everyone to see.

It will be available in the WhatsApp beta for the Android 2.23.4.10 update. 

Official changelog

The messaging app has released an official changelog within the Play Store that has features available for users on Android.

These features include document captions, longer group subjects and descriptions, avatars, and the ability to share up to 100 media within your conversations. 

Avatar

In another new update, WhatsApp announced that it is revamping the avatar sticker pack by introducing more stickers for the iOs and Android versions of the app. 

The new update has brought “more depth and personality by redesigning and replacing some stickers to enhance their visual appeal and ensure that they reflect the diverse range of emotions and expressions that users wish to convey”. 

Picture-in-picture mode 

The messaging app has introduced the picture-in-picture mode for video calls for the iOs users through the 23.3.77 update available on the App Store. 

This new feature will allow users to multitask during a WhatsApp call without their video being paused. 

Presentation sheet

WhatsApp has also introduced a presentation sheet that allows users to share files up to 2GB in size. This is available in the future iOS 23.3.0.76 update. 

Business communities 

The app is bringing communities to the WhatsApp Business app in a future update, making it easier to manage related groups together.

This will be available on WhatsApp beta for the Android 2.23.4.14 update. It allows businesses to create, manage, and use communities. 

Attachment sharing option

WhatsApp has also brought a new feature for the Windows version by bringing a new attachment-sharing option. This will allow users to share images and videos from the file explorer quickly.

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Elon Musk lands in Tel Aviv to meet Israeli president, families of hostages

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Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has begun his wartime visit to Israel as he landed in Tel Aviv on Monday to discuss “rising antisemitism” on social media with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

During his visit to Tel Aviv, the tech billionaire will also meet the relatives of the hostages held by Hamas following their October 7 attack. 

“In their meeting, the president will emphasise the need to act to combat rising antisemitism online,” said President Herzog’s office on Sunday after announcing the meeting with Musk.

His meeting comes after the tech guru was accused by civil rights groups of amplifying anti-Jewish hatred on the microblogging website X, formerly known as Twitter.

The tweet accused Jews of promoting hatred against whites, and Musk’s reply, acknowledging the statement as the “actual truth,” triggered a fierce online backlash.

Musk, later defending himself against accusations of anti-semitism, asserted that such claims were “nothing could be further from the truth.” He clarified his intentions, expressing goodwill towards humanity and a desire for a prosperous future for all.

In an effort to counterbalance the controversy, Musk announced his commitment to donating advertising revenue from his company, X, to hospitals in Israel and Gaza.

Last week, Israeli media reported that Musk would visit Israel this week, with plans to tour Gaza border towns.

According to N12, the Tesla magnate was expected to engage in discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Herzog during his visit.

Additionally, Musk had previously pledged to provide internet satellite connectivity to Gaza’s remaining civilians and humanitarian workers.

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Here’s how WhatsApp plans to enhance display of profile info

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To further enhance user experience, WhatsApp is working on a new update to further enhance the display of profile information by acting on the user feedback and incorporating desired updates into the platform.

The development was discovered via the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.25.11 update available on the Google Play Store, reported WaBetaInfo.

The meta-owned platform is working to allow the displaying of profile information within conversations beneath the contact name.

Once introduced, the feature will provide users with an easier and faster way to interact with profile information when it is made visible in our conversations.

— WaBetaInfo
— WaBetaInfo

Users would be able to easily view the profile information within the chat rather than having to navigate to the chat info screen. 

Furthermore, this enhances visibility in the event that users have recently updated their profile information, guaranteeing that those involved in the conversation are promptly informed of any modifications.

It is significant to remember that the user’s privacy settings will only permit the display of this information.

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OpenAI’s ChatGPT offers human-like voice feature for all regular iOS, Android users

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OpenAI has rolled out a significant update for ChatGPT, enabling regular users on both iOS and Android devices to engage with the chatbot using a human-like voice. 

Initially introduced in September, the voice feature was exclusively available to Plus and Enterprise users until yesterday. This expansion signifies a milestone in ChatGPT’s accessibility, allowing a broader audience to experience conversational capabilities in voice mode.

To activate the voice feature, users will find a headphone icon at the bottom right of the screen upon opening ChatGPT. Clicking on it prompts users to choose from five distinct voice options: Juniper, Ember, Breeze, Cove, and Sky, representing a spectrum from feminine to masculine. Users can easily switch between these options later.

The interaction with the voice assistant is visually engaging, with a grey circle appearing in the centre, transforming into a white cloud-like image while the chatbot processes information. 

The voice assistant, exemplified by options like Sky with a raspy voice, introduces a more human-like element, including pauses during responses, fostering a conversational experience.

Despite the innovative leap, some users noted that the voice function occasionally prompted assistance queries even when the user remained silent, and there was a lack of a clear mechanism to turn off the application. 

However, the flexibility to exit the app while keeping it active in the background enhances multitasking possibilities, catering to scenarios where users may want information while engaged in other activities.

This move towards a voice-centric interaction marks a departure from traditional text-based chatting, offering a more natural and engaging conversational AI experience. 

OpenAI’s decision to make this feature available to a wider user base underscores the evolution of ChatGPT, positioning it as a versatile and accessible tool for diverse interactions.

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