Facebook-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp has seen several new updates this year that have introduced some cool new features. These include the popular biometric unlock functionality in iPhones and the ability to select who can add you to groups. Before bringing these features to the final build, WhatsApp tests these features on its beta version.
To get a taste of the unreleased action, you can become a beta tester for WhatsApp by clicking here. You will then be prompted to update the application. Bear in mind that although you will get access to the latest features, this is still an unstable build. So crashes, bugs and errors are common occurrences.
Here are some WhatsApp features that have been spotted on the beta version and will likely make their way on to the final build:
Forwarding Info and Frequently Forwarded
These features would be rolled by WhatsApp to curb the fake news problem. Forwarding Info feature will tell users how many times a message they have sent has been forwarded while the Frequently Forwarded feature marks a sent message as "Frequently Forwarded" after it gets forwarded more than four times.
WhatsApp product catalogs
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This feature is aimed at helping small businesses to showcase their products directly on WhatsApp. It will allow product catalogs of businesses to be visible on their WhatsApp profiles and let customers browse through them.
Stickers Notification Preview
According to app tracker WABetaInfo, this feature was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android's 2.19.130 update. It gives users an option to preview a WhatsApp message with a sticker from the notification bar itself by pulling it down. This feature is already present in iOS devices.
In-app browser
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This feature will eliminate the need to leave the app and open another browser when you tap on a web link. WABetaInfo reported the presence of an in-app browser in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.19.74. Further, the tracker said that the search history in the in-app browser will not be accessible to either WhatsApp or Facebook.
Dark Mode
This feature will make the app easier to use during the wee small hours as it will use dark color tones that are less jarring to the eye. WABetaInfo in March reported that the icons and headings in this mode are all highlighted in WhatsApp’s signature green color while the texts are visible in white color.
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whatsapp news