WhatsApp Status updates work like Insta Stories that disappear after 24 hours and give you a quick update on the contacts on your list.
WhatsApp is slowly becoming more or less like Instagram and a new feature is on the horizon for WhatsApp which will vouch for our observations. The messaging could allow users to mention others in their status updates. This update will be private, with only the uploader and the mentioned individuals able to view it. The functionality is expected to work similarly to Instagram Stories, where the mentioned user receives a notification. Additionally, reports suggest that Meta AI’s voice mode functionality is also being developed for the messaging platform.
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The feature was observed in the WhatsApp beta for the Android 2.24.20.3 upgrade, according to a post by the WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo. Those who have registered for the Google Beta Program will not be able to test the functionality out as of now. According to an image provided by the feature tracker, the new option only affects the status update process.
The feature currently does not allow users to tag others. However, it is stated that with this upgrade, users will be able to tag their saved contacts. The function is referred to as “mentions” on the screenshot.
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The mention icon, denoted by a ‘@’, can be found in the text field before the send button. Another screenshot describes the feature and adds that the mentioned user would receive a message from the user indicating that they have been mentioned. They are also claimed to receive notification of the same. Once noted, users can view and re-share the status.
Once a status is updated, the mentioned user’s name will appear beneath the status owner’s name. Since the feature is private, only the uploader and the mentioned individual will be able to see this. This allows users to discreetly include someone in their status updates without alerting others.
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Additionally, WhatsApp is reportedly developing a Meta AI voice mode feature. This functionality is expected to offer a range of voice options and facilitate two-way voice communication with artificial intelligence (AI). Some of the voices may include UK accents, while others might feature US accents. The report also hints that Meta plans to incorporate the voices of public figures, though their names have not been disclosed.
