WhatsApp, a cross-platform messaging & Voice over IP (VoIP) service owned by Facebook, has been hard at work creating an array of new features for their users. With over a billion daily messages sent worldwide, WhatsApp has become a household name.
Started as a “text-only” service in 2009, the application has grown its functionality in numerous areas. There are no subscription fees, but data charges by your service provider may apply. Recently, over the past months, WhatsApp has added more features for users. This article is about WhatsApp’s 10 features added of late.
Here’s a tour of the several new texting features that may pique interest of existing & potential users:
Group Calling
The application has rolled out group calling, voice & video for up to 4 users with support for both iPhone & Android. Moreover, you can connect more contacts with the new ‘add participant’ button located top-right on the app. Group calls are always end-to-end encrypted.
Call Swapping
Callers may swap between voice & video at the touch of a button & set incoming call notifications in the settings. Also, users may select alert styles such as banners pop-ups or ring-tone sounds. These alerts can be set for both locked & unlocked screens. In addition to the ‘decline’ or ‘accept’ buttons, users are given the option to be reminded at a later time by notification on any missed calls.
WhatsApp For Business
This stand-alone app offers support for small & medium-sized operations, while larger organizations have an API facility on offer. Businesses can include a profile directly on-App. Also, users, can select whether or not to accept approach by business & remain updated on any dealings – such as booking dates, or latest sale items.
In App Advertising
Businesses to wish to position themselves strategically on WhatsApp. From the road-side bakery, to the largest banking organization would want to have profiles & products for the app. Therefore, WhatsApp plans to provide paid advertising opportunities along the lines of Instagram & Facebook.
The All-Controlling Group Admin
Users can now remove themselves from the group, while the group’s founder aka administrator, on the other hand, can no longer be removed from the group. The admin can now restrict who can change the group’s subject, icon, & description.
Here I Am, This Is Me
Now you can locate yourself on the map & let others know your location. The GPS-based services allow the user to choose time & length of their stay at a location & then air it with connected users. More than 1 user in a group can have their position displayed on the same map.
Jazz Up The Pics
The application’s on-App camera has been upgraded to permit on-image drawing. With the addition of text, stickers & emojis, you no longer need to use a separate app to jazz up your photos. Now, just hit ‘send’.
Peer-To-Peer Payments
Other planned products for the WhatsApp community include peer-to-peer payments. This system is in beta phase in India. However, the California-based company has been asked to open an office in India if they wish to launch the payments feature. The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) guidelines mentions that an organisation will need to either open a branch or a subsidiary within the country to become operational.
Forward Label
Other features include limits on forwarding messages to a group without sufficient labeling. Now, you’ll know where the forward originated. This feature’s an attempt to prevent the spread of rumors or fake news.
Suspicious Link
As part of the security feature, WhatsApp has added a suspicious link indicator which may appear when a link contains a combination of characters that is considered unusual. This is an attempt to keep spammers at bay. In case of a link marked suspicious, you can tap the link & a pop-up message will highlight the unusual characters within the link.
Image Credit: WhatsApp
