New Update WhatsApp Messenger - Stable and Beta updates

[silversurfer]

Nice This is a good step but I do worry about conversations being edited long after you have sent messages. Good to cover up mistakes *ahem*

Probably, editing is possible only within 15 min after you posted the last message...

WhatsApp will let you edit messages within a 15-minute window- gHacks Tech News

WhatsApp finally adds an option to edit a message. But you only have 15 minutes to fix typos in your texts.

www.ghacks.net

The feature is a welcome on, but there's a catch. You may only edit messages in WhatsApp within a 15-minute window, beyond which the option will not be available. A message that you edited will be marked with an "edited" tag next to a time-stamp, to indicate that the text was modified by the sender. The app will not display the edit history in the chat, so don't worry, your contact won't be able to see your typo. You may edit a message multiple times.

If you forget to edit a message within 15 minutes of sending it, you can always choose to delete it. The delete option also has a time-limit, but it's a lot more generous, you have until 60 hours to remove it. The issue with deleting a message is that WhatsApp will leave a remnant that says "You deleted this message", so others in the chat will know you deleted something, though they won't be able to see the content. That's why the option to edit messages will be a better option to fix typos, it's a cleaner way to fix your mistakes, and you won't have to retype or copy/paste the rest of the message.

 

[silversurfer]

WhatsApp is currently working on bringing screen sharing and a username system for its users, seen in the latest beta of the app.

The username feature, which lets WhatsApp users choose a distinctive username associated with their account, was discovered in the beta version 2.23.11.15 for Android. Users may be able to find one another in the future by their username rather than by phone number, thanks to the feature. According to WABetaInfo, conversations that are started using a username are end-to-end encrypted.

The Android app's 2.23.11.19 beta testers also discovered a brand-new screen-sharing feature. Users could start sharing the content of their screens on video calls after clicking the screen-sharing button and confirming.

Everything on your screen will be recorded and sent to the recipient when you choose to share it. Keep in mind that this feature might not be available on older Android versions, screen-sharing might not function in lengthy group calls, and the recipient might not be able to see what is on your screen if they are using an old version of WhatsApp.

"This function is completely under your control. During the video call, your screen content will be transmitted continuously, but you can pause it at any time. Additionally, you can only use this feature if you agree to share the information on your screen," WABetaInfo said.

Screen sharing and usernames coming to WhatsApp - gHacks Tech News

WhatsApp has been working to reveal several features and according to reports, the company is working on usenames and screen sharing!

www.ghacks.net

 

[silversurfer]

The latest version of the WhatsApp Beta on the Microsoft Store has received an update to version 2.2322.1.0, which gives some beta testers the ability to share their screen with others while in a video call. This is currently going through a limited roll-out with more users being granted access over the coming days.

The option, if available, will be listed at the bottom of the screen during any video call, and works in a similar manner to Microsoft Teams where it allows for either the entire desktop or a specific window to be shared with all participants of the call, including to users connected via mobile devices.

WhatsApp Beta 2.2322.1.0 for Windows begins rolling out screen-sharing for video calls

The latest beta version of WhatsApp for Windows has added the ability to share your screen with others in a video call for some users, which was previously added to the Android beta last month.

www.neowin.net

WhatsApp beta for Windows gets a screen-sharing feature for video calls | WABetaInfo

Discover a new feature for the WhatsApp beta for Windows 2.2322.1.0 update: WhatsApp is rolling out a screen-sharing feature!

wabetainfo.com

 

[silversurfer]

Protecting the privacy of your messages remains the driving force behind what we’re building at WhatsApp. While End-to-end encryption is the foundation to ensure your calls and messages are secure, we continue to add more layers of privacy on top including the recently launched Chat Lock to protect sensitive chats behind a password, Disappearing Messages that vanish, screenshot blocking for View Once, and the ability to keep your online presence private.

Today, we’re excited to add two new updates to this growing list: Silence Unknown Callers and Privacy Checkup, which are available to users now.

Silence Unknown Callers is designed to give you more privacy and control of your incoming calls. It helps to automatically screen out spam, scams, and calls from unknown people for increased protection. These calls will not ring on your phone, but will be visible in your Call list, in case it turns out to be someone important.

To spread the word, we’re introducing Privacy Checkup to help make sure everyone knows about the options of protection on WhatsApp.

This step-by-step feature guides you through important privacy settings to help you choose the right level of protection, all in one place. Selecting ‘Start checkup’ in your Privacy settings will navigate you through multiple privacy layers that strengthen security of your messages, calls, and personal information.

New Privacy Features: Silence Unknown Callers and Privacy Checkup

New Privacy Features: Silence Unknown Callers and Privacy Checkup Protecting the privacy of your messages rem...

blog.whatsapp.com

 

[CyberTech]

Transferring your WhatsApp messages and large attachments between phones running the same operating system could soon be a little easier. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced a new chat transfer feature that bypasses any cloud backups simply by scanning a QR code shown on your old phone with your new phone. “Data is only shared between your two devices, and is fully encrypted during transfer,” WhatsApp’s announcement of the new feature says.

The new process has the potential to be a lot quicker and easier than the existing cloud-based alternative, which involves backing up a history of your chats to iCloud or Google Drive and then downloading it to a new device. And it handily avoids any cloud storage limits you might run into if your chat and media backup is, for example, larger than the 5GB of free storage included with every iCloud account.

The rest

WhatsApp makes it easier to transfer chat histories between devices

Rather than going through the cloud, the new QR code-based feature transfers your data locally as long as both devices are running the same OS.

www.theverge.com

 

[Ink]

WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.14.19 and WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.14.0.70 are marked as compatible updates.

WhatsApp is rolling out a phone number privacy feature for communities | WABetaInfo

Discover a new feature about WhatsApp beta for iOS and Android: WhatsApp is rolling out a phone number privacy option for communities!

wabetainfo.com

 

[CyberTech]

WhatsApp is bolstering its privacy protocols for community users by introducing an innovative feature that allows members to shield their phone numbers from view.

In a typical community chat, participant identities remain concealed, with the exception of administrators who can view all members' names. However, as reported by WABetaInfo, this veil of anonymity thins when you respond to a message in the community announcement group, thereby publicly exposing your phone number. Enter the new 'Phone Number Privacy' feature, ensuring that your contact information stays away from unwanted scrutiny.

Early reports, replete with illustrative images, indicate that the community's announcement group information menu will include a 'Phone Number Privacy' option. Engaging this option triggers a prompt, clarifying that despite your efforts to conceal your details, certain individuals can still view your number.

The rest

WhatsApp beta users can now hide their numbers - gHacks Tech News

WhatsApp is bolstering its privacy protocols by introducing a feature that allows members to shield their phone numbers from view.

www.ghacks.net

 

[hango]

Screen sharing and usernames coming to WhatsApp - gHacks Tech News

WhatsApp has been working to reveal several features and according to reports, the company is working on usenames and screen sharing!

www.ghacks.net

Thank You for your information.
Exciting updates from WhatsApp! The upcoming username system fosters easier connections, and screen sharing adds versatility to video calls. User control ensures privacy and convenience. Innovation at its best!

 

[silversurfer]

Voice messages on WhatsApp changed the way people communicate by providing a quick and secure way to share your voice. We’re excited to build on this feature with new instant video messages. Now you can record and share short personal videos directly in the chat.

Video messages are a real-time way to respond to chats with whatever you want to say and show in 60 seconds. We think these will be a fun way to share moments with all the emotion that comes from video, whether it’s wishing someone a happy birthday, laughing at a joke, or bringing good news.

Sending a video message is as simple as sending a voice message. Just tap to switch to video mode, and hold to record the video. You can also swipe up to lock and record the video hands-free. Videos will play automatically on mute when opened in a chat, and tapping on the video will start the sound. Video messages are protected with end-to-end encryption to keep your messages secure.

Video messages have begun rolling out and will be available to everyone in the coming weeks.

Introducing Instant Video Messages

Introducing Instant Video Messages Voice messages on WhatsApp changed the way people communicate by providing...

blog.whatsapp.com

 

[silversurfer]

WhatsApp announced today that it has started the full rollout of HD videos. The feature was available to some users in recent weeks after its arrival was teased by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg without specifying a release date.

As the name suggests, WhatsApp HD videos feature allows users to upload videos in high resolution and share them with friends. This comes weeks after the instant messaging app allowed users to upload HD photos through its apps for Android and iOS.

WhatsApp starts full rollout of HD video support for Android and iOS

WhatsApp users can upload videos at a higher resolution when sharing them with their friends. The company has started a wider rollout of HD video support on its apps for Android and iOS.

www.neowin.net

 

[Ink]

HD is opt-in, or default?

 

[silversurfer]

HD is opt-in, or default?

I tried here on iOS 16 with Whatsapp version 23.17.78 and confirm that Standard Quality is always default, same is mentioned in previous article from neowin:

The option, visible when a photo is selected prior to sharing, allows users to select either "Standard Quality" which is the default option, or the new "HD Quality" option preserving far more of the image's original resolution. The option to share in HD cannot be set as default and needs to be selected each time that an image is sent to ensure that users still have "quick and reliable access" to image sharing.

WhatsApp begins rolling out HD photo sharing, with HD video to follow

WhatsApp is beginning to roll out the ability to share photos at HD quality, allowing for resolution to be preserved when sharing a photo, with HD video sharing to follow in the future.

www.neowin.net

 

[Ink]

WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.23.19.8.

What’s new in this update? WhatsApp is working on complying with new EU regulations by developing support for chat interoperability, and it will be available in a future update of the app!

The European Union has recently reached an agreement on a significant competition reform known as the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which will impose strict rules on large tech companies that will have to offer users the ability to communicate with each other using different apps. WhatsApp is one of the companies that will be required to comply with the new regulations outlined in the European Union’s Digital Markets Act. This is because WhatsApp is considered a gatekeeper service since it’s a large tech platform with a substantial user base and falls within the criteria set by the DMA. With the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.19.8 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on complying with the new regulations:
[...]

Interoperability will allow other people to contact users on WhatsApp even if they don’t have a WhatsApp account.

For example, someone from the Signal app could send a message to a WhatsApp user, even without a WhatsApp account.

While this broader network can definitely enhance communication with those people who use different messaging apps and assist those small apps in competing within the messaging app industry, we acknowledge that this approach may also raise important considerations about end-to-end encryption when receiving a message from users who don’t use WhatsApp. In this context, as this feature is still in its early stages of development, detailed technical information about this process on WhatsApp as a gatekeeper is currently very limited, but we can confirm that end-to-end encryption will have to be preserved in interoperable messaging systems. In addition, as mentioned in Article 7 of the regulations, it appears that users may have the option to opt out when it will be available in the future.

Read more at WABetaInfo: WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.19.8: what's new? | WABetaInfo

A new WhatsApp third-party chats feature has been spotted in the latest app code, indicating that the app is preparing to comply with European law on messaging interoperability.

Apple is so far pushing back on suggestions that iMessage would be subject to the same antitrust law, making the unlikely-sounding argument that it doesn’t have enough European users to count

Via WhatsApp third-party chats are coming; Apple resists for iMessage

 

[CyberTech]

WhatsApp is rolling out its new Channels feature to more users. The Meta-owned messaging app announced on Wednesday that it’s expanding the one-to-many broadcasting feature to over 150 countries.

While WhatsApp first introduced Channels in June, it was only available to select organizations in Colombia and Singapore. Just like on the messaging app Telegram, WhatsApp’s Channels feature lets you receive updates from creators, organizations, and brands — including The Verge, and you can subscribe to our channel by clicking here — from a single channel. Instagram rolled out a similar feature earlier this year called broadcast channels.

The rest

WhatsApp is widely rolling out its Telegram-like Channels feature

WhatsApp’s broadcasting feature is now available globally.

www.theverge.com

 

[CyberTech]

WhatsApp for iPad finally appears to be nearing a release. In the latest version of WhatsApp Beta for TestFlight, Meta has introduced an option to use WhatsApp on an iPad independently of an iPhone, thanks to an update to its Link a Device feature.

WhatsApp currently allows users of the encrypted messaging platform to link up to four devices to their account even when their main smartphone is not connected to the internet. Each linked device connects to WhatsApp independently, ensuring that personal messages, media, and calls are end-to-end encrypted. The feature also supports Macs, but not iPads – until now.

As spotted by code researcher WABetaInfo, WhatsApp has started testing a facility to use iPads as a linked device in the latest beta. The new companion mode also means that any messages sent or received on iPad are synced to the account's primary phone, regardless of whether it is an iPhone or an Android device.

The rest

Latest WhatsApp Beta Features Native iPad Support

WhatsApp for iPad finally appears to be nearing a release. In the latest version of WhatsApp Beta for TestFlight, Meta has introduced an option to...

www.macrumors.com

 

[silversurfer]

Meta-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp is figuring out new ways people can use to respond when they receive media in their conversations. WABetaInfo reports that the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android 2.23.20.20 comes with a new reply bar.

The feature is currently available to some beta testers and lets users quickly reply to images, videos, and GIFs in the messaging app. As of now, users running the stable version of WhatsApp can respond to texts and media by swiping right on the message.

WhatsApp Android beta is testing a new reply bar for images and videos

Future versions of WhatsApp might make it easier to respond to media. The latest WhatsApp beta update for Android is rolling out a new reply bar for images, vidoes and GIFs to some beta testers.

www.neowin.net

 

[silversurfer]

WhatsApp has started the rollout of its revamped Android user interface to a limited set of beta testers. The underdevelopment feature is available as part of the recently released WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.21.12 on Google Play, WABetaInfo reports.

WhatsApp's improved user interface has been in development for several months now, as per previous reports. The UI inspired by Material Design 3 brings new icons and colors onto the table. Other changes include a fresh look to the chat bubbles and floating action button.

Source: WhatsApp Android beta brings revamped user interface to testers - Neowin

 

[ashok.silwal]

I'm excited about this update! A fresh look and improved user interface can make using WhatsApp more enjoyable. Can't wait to try it out when it's available for everyone.

 

[codswollip]

The stench of Facebook is overwhelming. Such a joke.

 

[silversurfer]

Source: WhatsApp is adding passkeys to Android to make your chats even more secure | Android Central

What you need to know​

• Passkey access is now an added option for logging in to WhatsApp for Android on top of passwords, utilizing on-device face ID or fingerprint for a more secure login process.
• Passkeys use advanced cryptography for enhanced security, and WhatsApp's announcement follows Google's lead in adopting this authentication method.
• WhatsApp users can enable passkey in the latest version of the messaging app on the stable channel.

---

WhatsApp is always looking for ways to make your conversations more secure, and it's now bringing passkeys to Android in an effort to beef up security when accessing your chats.

The Meta-owned company announced on X (formerly Twitter) that it is joining the passkey revolution, ditching those old-school passwords and annoying two-factor authentication codes for a more secure way to log in. WhatsApp previously tested this functionality with its beta users for several months.