Technology
WhatsApp for iPhone is getting a genius update that changes how you text
WHATSAPP appears to be lining up a major new feature for users on iPhone.
The US chat app recently rolled out an early version of its iOS app to testers notifications for message reactions.
AlamyWhatsApp appears to be working on a major new feature[/caption]
The upcoming feature is expected to allow users to react to a message using different emojis, such as a smiling or angry face.
It could work similarly to Facebook’s reaction buttons, which let you respond to posts and comments with “love,” “haha,” “wow,” “sad” and “angry.”
The change was uncovered by WABetaInfo, a tech website with a strong track record of uncovering WhatsApp features before they launch.
It was launched last week in the newest beta (version 22.2.72) of the app – a work-in-progress sent out to testers before launch – on iOS.
According to WABeta info, a new “reactions notifications” option appears under WhatsApp’s notifications settings in version 22.2.72.
Users can either enable or disable these reactions in their notifications.
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The notifications will let you know when someone has reacted to one of your messages in group or individual chats.
Users can select which tone to play when they receive those notifications.
The feature is currently unavailable to WhatsApp’s wider user base but will likely be made available in an update released in the coming months.
“Unfortunately, it’s still not possible to react to messages,” WABetaInfo wrote.
“But the fact that it’s possible to manage these settings suggests that message reactions will be available very soon.”
WhatsApp may still decide to pull the plug on it before release, so there’s no guarantee that message reactions will make it to public release.
It’s one of a number of new features expected to be rolled out by WhatsApp this year.
One upcoming addition to the WhatsApp Desktop beta app is new colours for chat bubbles when you’re using the dark theme.
On WhatsApp beta for iOS, there’s also a new global voice note player.
That lets you continue listening to voice notes even when you switch to a different chat.
Most of the features are available in the beta – the test version of the app.
The beta app is where WhatsApp tests new features first – to make sure they’re working right.
Only after beta testing do the new features make it to the general WhatsApp app.
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.
Joining the WhatsApp beta on iPhone is more difficult, and has limited capacity.
Follow Apple’s guide here.
In other news, personalised smart guns, which can be fired only by verified users, may finally become available to U.S. consumers this year.
Scientists are embarking on a mission to unravel the mystery behind dozens of grisly child mummies buried in an underground tomb in Sicily.
Police have caught an Italian mafia henchman who’d be on the run for 20 years after spotting the fugitive on Google Maps.
And, one of the best-preserved fossils ever found has confirmed that young dinosaurs burst from their shells just like baby birds.
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