Technology
WhatsApp update introduces HUGE change for millions of users on iPhone
YOU may notice something a bit different when you open WhatsApp very soon.
The popular messaging platform is working on a revamp for a big part of the app, though it looks like the change will only be available on iPhone.
wabetainfoNew look contact info page on WhatsApp[/caption]
According to leaked screenshots, a whole new contact info page for all your friends and family is on the cards.
The refreshed interface includes a new search message shortcut to make it easier to find specific chats.
As noted by WABetaInfo who spotted it, the update is not too different to a redesign that was introduced to WhatsApp business accounts.
That was first introduced way back in August.
Only some early testers have managed to get their hands on the changes so far.
Apparently this is because WhatsApp is only rolling it out to certain accounts in a slow phase.
And as ever with this early leaks, bosses could decide not to launch it at all.
Beta testers give developers a chance to see whether new features are worthwhile, so not all of them make the cut onto the final release everyone in the public gets access to.
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But the fact something similar has already been deployed to WhatsApp business accounts is promising.
The Meta-owned app is constantly adding new things for fans.
Recently, techies at the firm began testing a huge change to its disappearing messages feature.
The feature currently lets you set WhatsApp to automatically unsend texts after a certain period of time.
This deletes the message from your phone, and the device of any recipients too.
But a new change to the feature would let you exempt specific texts from being deleted.
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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