Technology
WhatsApp making HUGE changes to voice messages
WHATSAPP is said to be working on a redesign of its voice message feature for iPhone and Android users.
The app could start showing waveforms as you record yourself, a bit like what you see on an Instagram voice message.
According to WABetaInfo, the changes are being tested for Android and iPhone users.
However, the test isn’t avaliable to the public.
WABetaInfo managed to obtain a demo of the feature and tweeted about it.
One of the most exciting parts of the redesign is that a user can stop recording and listen back to a message before sending.
AlamyThe voice message redesign was spotted by WABetaInfo[/caption]
Currently, there is no easy way to check you’re happy with your message before it sends.
WABetaInfo revealed screen record video of a voice message being recorded on WhatsApp.
Once done, a blue play button appeared next to the message so you can listen back to it or delete it.
It’s unclear when or if this voice message update will be rolling out to everyone.
If you want to try new features before anyone else you can always download WhatsApp beta.
How to get WhatsApp beta
To download WhatsApp beta for your smartphone you need to go to Google Play on your Android and search for WhatsApp.
Scroll down the page until you see “Become a Beta Tester”.
Tap the “I’m In” button and then click “Join” to confirm.
Now all you have to do is wait for the update to the beta version of the app.
Downloading WhatsApp beta on iOS is a much trickier and riskier process so this is not recommended.
However, WhatsApp beta can be downloaded on a computer via the Google Play site.
WhatsApp – a quick history
Here’s what you need to know…
WhatsApp was created in 2009 by computer programmers Brian Acton and Jan Koum – former employees of Yahoo
It’s one of the most popular messaging services in the world
Koum came up with the name WhatsApp because it sounded like “what’s up”
After a number of tweaks the app was released with a messaging component in June 2009, with 250,000 active users
It was originally free but switched to a paid service to avoid growing too fast. Then in 2016, it became free again for all users
Facebook bought WhatsApp Inc in February 2014 for $19.3billion (£14.64bn)
The app is particularly popular because all messages are encrypted during transit, shutting out snoopers
As of 2020, WhatsApp has over 2billion users globally
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