WhatsApp is testing an 'answerphone' for missed calls
WhatsApp would like you to leave a message after the beep. In what feels like a blast from the past, Meta is testing what equates to an answerphone service in WhatsApp.
Currently undergoing beta testing with a limited number of users, the feature seeks to encourage conversation and connectivity. You have almost certainly been notified of a missed WhatsApp call on your phone, but how many times has the person who called followed up with a text message? Probably not often, and this is something WhatsApps is looking to address.
Elon Musk quietly kills encrypted DMs on X and you should be furious
X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, just yanked one of its most important privacy features. In a quiet and deeply troubling move, the company announced it is pausing end-to-end encrypted direct messages. Worst of all, there is no clear timeline or meaningful explanation.
According to a post from the official engineering account, encrypted DMs are being temporarily suspended while the team works on improvements. But here’s the kicker: users can still send and receive DMs, they just won’t be encrypted anymore. In other words, your messages are now visible to anyone at X with the right level of access. Hell, this potentially makes them more accessible to hackers too!
WhatsApp unveils a new look
WhatsApp is in the process of rolling out a redesigned app for Windows users. The latest update to the beta version of the chat client sees the app echoing the design language used for WhatsApp Web, as well as some UI changes that will be familiar to macOS users.
One of the most notable changes to be seen in this refresh is the way in which channels are accessible. There are also changes in the Community section of the app, but the most welcome aspect of this latest update is the consistency which can now be enjoyed across platforms.
WhatsApp shares details of a laundry list of new features and options for chatting and calling
The development of WhatsApp continues to be rapid and surprisingly exciting for a messaging app. It seems that hardly a week goes by without something new and interesting being added, and this can actually work against the app sometimes.
It is with this in mind that the developers acknowledge that their pace of work means it “can be easy to miss out on useful and exciting ways you can use WhatsApp”. So the team has put together a lengthy roundup of the new features that have been added, including document scanning on iPhone, video call zooming, and voice message transcripts on Channels.
WhatsApp is rolling out a new reaction emoji just in time for the New Year
Reaction emoji are a quick and easy way to respond to a message in WhatsApp with an absolute minimum of effort. Whether you simply can’t be bothered to type a message, or you’re already multi-tasking several things, the option to just send a thumbs up to a message is a handy option to have.
While there is nothing to stop you from sending any emoji you want as a response, there are several default options made available for easy access -- such as a heart or a sad face in addition to the thumbs up. For some time there have been six default emoji, but now WhatsApp is adding another to the family to make a septet.
WhatsApp now offers voice message transcripts
There are times when it makes sense to type a message in WhatsApp, and others when it is better to send a voice message. As the recipient of a voice message, it may not be convenient or possible to listen straight way.
Now WhatsApp has finally added the solutions users have been asking for -- transcripts. This long-awaited feature provides a text version of an audio message so you can read it instead of listening to it.
Hanging on the telephone set to be replaced by messaging services
It was 175 years ago that Italian inventor Antonio Meucci came up with the technology that would later be improved and popularized by Alexander Graham Bell to become the telephone.
New research from cloud communications company Sinch finds that newer technologies are starting to change how we communicate -- particularly with businesses -- offering richer, more interactive, and personalized experiences.
How contextual analysis can offer insight into the human element behind cyber threats [Q&A]
Cyber threats can come in many forms, over email, messaging platforms or social media. But what they all have in common is that they seek to exploit human weaknesses.
We spoke to Chris Lehman, CEO of SafeGuard Cyber, to discover how contextual analysis of business conversations can help determine if a conversation is benign or if something suspicious is taking place, allowing action to be taken.
Introducing WhatsApp's latest superpower: edit your sent messages!
Hey there, WhatsApp enthusiasts! Brace yourselves because the messaging world is about to get a whole lot more forgiving. That's right, WhatsApp has bestowed upon us a brand-new superpower—the ability to edit our sent messages. Cue the applause!
We've all been there. That moment when you hit the "send" button and immediately realize you've made a monumental typo or said something that sounded way better in your head. Well, fret no more, my dear WhatsAppers! With this marvelous new feature, you can now fix those blunders and regain control over your chats.
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