Meta-owned WhatsApp is once again working on a new update for its users, making their experience smooth and better while chatting with their family and friends.
The instant messaging app is releasing a new update through which users can send photos in their original quality, WaBetaInfo reported Friday.
The new update is being introduced through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.23.2.11. This feature has not yet been introduced as it is still under development.
It is also not yet ready to be released to beta testers.
The screenshot above shows that the messaging app “plans to integrate a new setting icon within the drawing tool header which will enable users to configure the quality of any photo”.
The users will be allowed to select an option to send the photos in their original quality in the future. Through this feature, users will have more control over the quality of the pictures they are sending, especially when they need to send pictures in their original quality.
The feature will be released in the future update of the app.
Voice notes
Earlier this week, the app tracking website said that WhatsApp is releasing the ability to share voice notes through status updates.
The new update is being introduced through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.23.2.8. However, this feature is only available to some beta testers for now and users will have to wait for a future update to get their hands on the feature.
The feature would let users “share a voice note as a status update with a certain audience configured within your privacy settings.”
Users can share voice notes as status updates by “accessing the feature within the text status section, in case it is enabled for them”.
The users can also discard a recording before they share it, hence, gaining more control over their voice recordings. As per the app-tracking website, the maximum recording time for the voice note is 30 seconds.
Moreover, those who want to listen to the voice recordings on status updates need to update their WhatsApp.
Ensuring the privacy of its users, WhatsApp has made the status updates end-to-end encrypted. This will allow users to share the voice notes with the people they choose within their privacy settings.
“Similar to images and videos, voice notes shared via status disappear after 24 hours but users also have the ability to delete voice notes for everyone after they have been posted as status updates: users are always in control over what they share,” said WaBetaInfo.
The feature will be rolled out to more users in the coming weeks.
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.
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
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.
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.
ChatGPT with voice is now available to all free users. Download the app on your phone and tap the headphones icon to start a conversation.
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.