Tag: whatsapp update

WhatsApp Now Supports Face Unlock for App Lock on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro

Google Pixel 8 series arrived last year with an improved face unlock feature allowing users to access compatible banking and payment apps. Now, WhatsApp has rolled out support for the face unlock feature on the Pixel 8 phones. This update provides a convenient way to unlock WhatsApp and keep chats secure from prying eyes. Once users have set up facial recognition on the instant messaging app, they can simply look at the phone’s front camera to unlock the app. This facility eliminates the need for biometric authentication.

The Meta-owned instant messaging platform has added a new security layer with the latest update to the app on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro users. Face unlock support on the Pixel 8 series appears to have rolled out with WhatsApp’s stable version 2.24.8.85. After the update, WhatsApp will show a system face unlock sheet at the bottom of the screen and a ring around the front-facing camera upon launching the app. If the app doesn’t recognise the user’s face within a few seconds, it will then switch back to the fingerprint sensor prompt. Users can also choose to enter their PIN. We at Gadgets 360 were able to use Face unlock on the Pixel 8 for WhatsApp. 

The latest update also seems to bring visual changes to the ‘WhatsApp Locked’ screen. As seen on our Pixel 8, the locked screen now shows the word ‘locked’ instead of the previous tick mark.

Google has been offering a face unlock option on its flagship phones for years now. However, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 pro smartphones, launched in October last year, were the first to come with upgraded face unlock capabilities that let users access compatible banking and payment apps like Google Wallet.

This feature is fueled by the Google Tensor G3 SoC and advanced machine learning algorithms combined with Titan M2 security chip. It can be used to authorise a contactless NFC transaction via Google Pay.

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WhatsApp’s Chat Lock Feature Might Soon Extend to Linked Devices

WhatsApp released the Chat Lock feature last year. This feature let users place their chats in a hidden folder that can be only accessed via secured passcodes, fingerprints or face ID. Meta unveiled this feature to improve the security and privacy protection on WhatsApp. Now, the social media giant is reportedly looking to extend the Chat Lock functionality to linked devices. A future update of WhatsApp is said to bring the feature for linked devices. This update has been spotted in WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.24.8.4.

WhatsApp features tracker WABetaInfo claimed that WhatsApp is working on a locked chats feature for linked devices and it will be available in a future update. The publication has spotted a reference about the upcoming feature in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.8.4 update that is available via the Google Play Beta programme.

The rumoured locked chats feature is not available for testers now but the report included a preview of the functionality. As per the shared screenshot, the app will allow users to set up secret codes to access chats on linked devices. The secret code will need to be set up from the primary device by heading to Chat Lock Settings>Secret Code option.

As mentioned, WhatsApp rolled out a new Chat Lock feature in May 2023 and this feature is currently limited to primary devices. It offers users more control over their personal and group chats. Notifications from the locked chats will neither show the sender’s name, nor the message preview. Users can view these hidden conversations in a separate locked chat folder that can only be accessed via a passcode, fingerprint, and face ID.

Meta’s developers are constantly rolling out new and upcoming features to WhatsApp through the beta channel. It is reportedly working on enabling international payments via its in-app Unified Payments Interface (UPI) service. Further, WhatsApp for Android is reportedly getting a new feature to set the upload quality of images and videos directly via Settings.

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Google Podcasts App Shutting Down On April 2, Users Asked to Move to YouTube Music



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WhatsApp Rolls Out Bottom Navigation Tabs to All Android Smartphones

WhatsApp is now rolling out a notable change to the user interface for the app on Android smartphones. The Meta-owned messaging service has announced that has moved the four navigation tabs at the top of the screen to the bottom. The updated visual interface was enabled on the beta version of the app for the past few months, and is now being enabled for all users. The new design will also make it easy for users to switch between tabs while using the phone with one hand.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp announced the rollout of the new bottom navigation bar on Android. The service posted images of the older interface, which had four tabs — communities, chats, status, and calls — above the list of chats. With the latest update, users will see those tabs moved to the bottom along with icons, while the order might be rearranged.

This is one of the most noteworthy changes to the interface on WhatsApp for Android in a while, and puts the main navigation tabs in the app within reach of your thumb — this is especially handy if you only have one hand free. However, if you want to search for something, you’ll still have to reach for the top of the screen. WhatsApp for iOS also shows the tabs at the bottom of the screen — there’s a fifth one for the settings menu.

While the bottom navigation tabs might be finally rolling out to users after months of testing on the beta channel, WhatsApp is busy developing more features that could make their way to the app in the future. The messaging service is reportedly developing the ability to make international payments via the app using the NPCI’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in India.  

The messaging service is also working on adding new AI-powered features to the app. WhatsApp is developing a feature that will let users provide text prompts to create stickers using artificial intelligence (AI) in the app. Similarly, WhatsApp was recently spotted developing AI-powered image editing features and a feature to ask Meta AI questions via the search bar on WhatsApp. These features are yet to be rolled out to users on both the stable and beta versions of WhatsApp.

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OpenAI Previews ‘Voice Engine’ Audio Tool That Can Clone Human Voices With 15 Seconds of Audio



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WhatsApp Now Allows Users to Block Spam Directly From Lock Screen: Here Are Steps to Enable Feature

WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform Meta owns, has rolled out a new feature allowing users to block spam directly from their lock screens. This update aims to combat the rising prevalence of spam messages and give users greater control over their messaging experience. Spam messages have long been a concern for messaging networks such as WhatsApp, flooding users with undesirable messages ranging from promotional offers to fraudulent schemes. By allowing users to take action directly from their lock screens, WhatsApp aims to enhance user privacy and security while fostering a more seamless messaging experience.

The new feature enables WhatsApp users to identify and block spam messages without needing to unlock their devices or navigate through the app. When a spam message notification appears on the lock screen, users can now long-press on the notification to access multiple options, including the option to block the sender instantly. WhatsApp displays a secondary prompt to report the contact as well.

Notably, WhatsApp already shows a cautionary note below the contact details of any unknown number that you get a message from. This is followed by options to add the contact, block it or report and block it. Other than these direct options, you can preemptively block a contact. In the More Options section on the Home page, go to Settings > Privacy > Blocked contacts > Add > Search or select the contact you wish to block.

Users are required to register their phone numbers on WhatsApp. Anyone with your contact details can send you a message on WhatsApp. However, this has continued to be a privacy concern. The company has reportedly been working on a way to allow connecting on the platform without exchanging phone numbers.

WhatsApp will also soon support cross-platform messaging, which will allow users from different messaging platforms to text users on WhatsApp. A “Third Party Chats” section will be available to users on the application’s home interface, which will show the messages received from users on other platforms while separating them from the in-app chats protected by WhatsApp’s E2EE encryption. 

Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 alongside the Galaxy Tab S9 series and Galaxy Watch 6 series at its first Galaxy Unpacked event in South Korea. We discuss the company’s new devices and more on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
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Disney Using New AI-Backed Advertising Tool For Disney+, Hulu Ads



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WhatsApp Reportedly Working on a Chat Lock Feature for Web Users

WhatsApp introduced a new Chat Lock feature for its Android and iOS users in May 2023. However, the feature was not rolled out for its Web client. Finally, after a long wait, a new report suggests that the instant messaging platform is also working to bring the feature to WhatsApp Web. Earlier, it was reported that Web users would also get a redesigned sidebar. Now, a leaked image of the Chat Lock feature shows a dedicated icon being placed on the new sidebar.

According to a report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is working on bringing the Chat Lock feature to allow users to lock individual chat on the web client and place it behind an additional layer of security. This is helpful in case you do not want others to know about a particular conversation or want to send sensitive information. The leaked image shows a padlock icon next to the Archived Chats and Starred Messages icon. This has led to the speculation that the locked messages will feature inside this tab, and a second layer of security can be added to access the tab.

WhatsApp Web Chat Lock feature
Photo Credit: WABetaInfo

 

Since there are no reports on how this feature will function, details about it are not available. However, the Android and iOS counterpart uses passcode, fingerprint, and Face ID authentication as input to unlock the chats. On the Web client, passwords or even passkeys, a passwordless authentication method that lets users log in with biometrics, can be used for this purpose.

Apart from this, WhatsApp Web is also expected to get a redesigned sidebar and a new colour scheme for the dark theme. An earlier report stated that the colour change was done to reduce eye strain in low-light environments, while the new sidebar was added to create design symmetry across all of the company’s platforms.

WhatsApp is also planning several new features for its mobile applications. For iOS, WhatsApp is reportedly working on adding support for passkeys, which was previously added to its Android counterpart. All iPhone models running on iOS 17 are expected to support third-party access to passkeys. This means iPhone XR or newer models with the iOS 17 update would be the only ones to activate passkeys on the WhatsApp app.

On Android, the Meta-owned app is working on a nearby file-sharing feature, as per a separate report. This is expected to work similarly to Android’s Quick Share (previously known as Nearby Share) feature. The WhatsApp feature appears to let users set themselves to be visible to other nearby users without revealing their phone number to non-contacts. It is also expected to be end-to-end encrypted to maintain privacy.

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WhatsApp Working on Nearby File Sharing Feature for Android, New Beta Update Brings Camera Bug Fix: Report

WhatsApp has been upgrading its file sharing capabilities in recent times. The popular messaging platform added support for HD photo sharing for all users last year. Now, the Meta-owned app has been spotted working on a new nearby file sharing feature that allows WhatsApp users on Android to share files with other users in their vicinity. Additionally, as part of the same update for the beta version of the app on Android, WhatsApp has also issued a fix for a camera bug in the application.

According to a report by WhatsApp feature tracked WABetaInfo, the app is rolling out an update — version 2.24.2.20 — through the Google Play Beta Program, which shows that a new file sharing feature is in the works. WhatsApp is reportedly developing the ability to share files with other users nearby, much like Apple’s AirDrop feature, and the feature should be available widely in a future update of the app.

Nearby file sharing is not yet ready for beta testers, but the WABetaInfo report provides a preview of the feature. A shared screenshot of the in-development feature shows a “Share files with people nearby” option in the app, along with a list of users nearby and a setting that allows users to set their visibility. Additionally, it seems users can set themselves to be visible to other nearby users without revealing their phone number to non-contacts. Users would also have to wait for nearby users to accept their share request. Nearby users can open WhatsApp and shake their device to see an incoming share request. It’s also worth noting that the nearby sharing feature would be end-to-end encrypted to maintain privacy.

The nearby file sharing feature will be end-to-end encrypted
Photo Credit: WABetaInfo

While the nearby file sharing feature will reportedly arrive in a future update, the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.2.20 update has rolled out a fix for a recent bug that prevented users from launching the camera in the app. According to a separate WABetaInfo report, some beta testers on Android encountered an issue that prevented them from launching the camera inside the app after the 2.24.2.13 WhatsApp beta update. The bug would show a message in the app that read “Can’t start camera, please restart your device.” Restarting the device or relaunching the app, however, did not fix the issue.

The latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.2.20 update brings a fix for the camera bug, allowing users to launch the camera inside WhatsApp and proceed to share photos and videos with their contacts.

Last week, WhatsApp Channels, the broadcasting feature that lets organisations and public personalities send updates to their followers on the messaging platform, received a host of new tools, including a polling feature, voice notes and the ability to share Channel updates to Status.

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WhatsApp Working on a Revamped Dark Interface, Sidebar for Web Users: Report

WhatsApp started rolling out dark mode for its Web version back in 2020. Now, the instant messaging platform is reportedly gearing up to introduce a new colour scheme and a redesigned sidebar for the dark theme. The new interface is expected to be beneficial for users of WhatsApp Web in low-light conditions. It is expected to reduce the strain on the eyes. However, WhatsApp has not yet officially confirmed the development of a new interface and it is not available to beta testers yet.

As per a report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is testing a new background colour for its Web version’s dark theme along with a new tweaked sidebar. The new design and colour upgrades are expected to reduce eye strain in low-light environments. The sidebar could offer an improved messaging experience.

New interface
Photo Credit: WABetaInfo

 

The new interface is not available for testers yet but is expected to be released in a future update of the WhatsApp Web. However, the publication has included a preview of the rumoured colour scheme for the dark theme. The colour scheme update is visible across the top bar, background, and message bubbles.

Meta has introduced several new features to its instant messaging platform lately. Earlier this month, the social media company announced Pinned Messages that allow users to highlight a specific message in any ongoing one-on-one and group conversation and pin it to the top of that chat for up to 30 days. Further, WhatsApp introduced the View Once option for voice messages. This lets users send a voice message that will disappear once the recipient listens to it.

WhatsApp could soon allow users to post status updates from the Web version or linked ‘companion’ devices. It is also reportedly working on a new feature that will let users share HD images and videos in their status updates.

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Poco X6 Series Confirmed to Launch in India Soon, Will Feautre MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra SoC



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WhatsApp Introduces Pinned Messages for Individual and Group Chats

WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that lets users pin messages in chats to easily locate important conversations. With this feature, users can highlight a specific message in both individual and group chats and pin it to the top of the chat. A message can be pinned in the chat for up to 30 days. All kinds of messages including text, polls, and emojis can be pinned. However, users can pin only one chat at a time.

Meta-owned instant messaging app WhatsApp announced the addition of Pinned Messages via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday (December 13). The feature allows users to highlight a specific message in any ongoing one-on-one and group conversation and pin it to the top of that chat. This would be ideal for pointing to important details like address, date or phone number and offering quick reference to older messages.

Photo Credit: WhatsApp

 

Users can pin a chat by long-pressing on a conversation and selecting Pin from the menu. A message can be pinned in the chat for either 24 hours, seven days, or one month, however, seven days is the default duration. All types of content including text messages, files, emojis, pictures, polls or videos can be pinned. In WhatsApp groups, admins can decide whether to give the ability to pin messages to just the admins or participants. As always, users will be able to unpin these messages anytime they want.

WhatsApp’s competitors in the messaging space Telegram and iMessage already offer a pin message feature. This update was previously spotted on WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.21.4.

Meta has introduced numerous features to its instant messaging platform lately. WhatsApp recently announced the View Once option for voice messages. The feature allows users to send a voice message that will disappear once the recipient listens to it. WhatsApp is also reportedly working on a new feature that will let users share HD images and videos in their status updates. Furthermore, it is said to be developing an optional feature that could let users share WhatsApp statuses directly to Instagram.

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WhatsApp Rolls Out Instagram-Style Reply Bar for Status Updates to Beta Testers on iOS, Android: Report

WhatsApp might have started out as a simple messaging platform, but the app, now owned by Meta, has added multiple features over the years that have brought it closer to being a social media platform, a payments app, a business portal and much more. With features like status updates, channels, and more, WhatsApp resembles a lot more like Meta’s other social platforms. The messaging app is now reportedly replicating yet another feature from Instagram Stories by rolling out a reply bar for status updates on both Android and iOS devices.

According to WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, the popular messaging platform has released a reply bar feature for status updates to beta testers on Android and iOS. The reply bar, which shows up at the bottom of status updates, just like the one present on Instagram Stories, is meant to make responding to statuses easier. Currently, WhatsApp users can swipe up on a status update to reply using a text message or emojis. With a dedicated reply bar, however, they could directly type in their responses to status updates.

The feature is reportedly rolling out to some beta testers as part of WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.15.10.72 update from the TestFlight app, and WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.26.3 update from the Google Play Store. It should release for more users in the coming days.

The reply bar feature for status updates on WhatsApp
Photo Credit: WABetaInfo

The WABetaInfo report included a screenshot of the feature, showing a reply bar at the bottom of a status update for quick interaction. The feature would eliminate the need to swipe up on status updates to send in a response. Visually, the reply bar looks near identical to the one present in Instagram stories.

Earlier this month, WhatsApp was spotted working on a feature that would allow users to share their WhatsApp statuses to Instagram. The messaging platform already lets users share WhatsApp statuses on Facebook. The options to share status updates on other Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram were seen listed together under the Status Privacy tab in WhatsApp settings.

WhatsApp is also said to be developing a feature that would allow searching for other users on the app by their username, thus eliminating the need to share phone numbers with strangers to communicate on the platform. This privacy-focussed Telegram-style search by username feature would help find users by their unique usernames on the app.

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WhatsApp Announces ‘View Once’ Voice Messages to Send Disappearing Audio Messages

WhatsApp introduced View Once messages for text, photos, and videos back in 2021. Now, the Meta-owned instant messaging platform is expanding this feature to voice messages. With this feature, users will be able to set voice messages to disappear after their recipient listens to them. Like the View Once photos and videos, View Once voice messages will be marked with the “one-time” icon and can only be played once. View Once voice messages will reach global users over the coming days.

Meta on Thursday (December 7) announced the addition of View Once voice messages via a blog post. The feature lets users send a voice message that will disappear once the recipient listens to it. This functionality can be ideal for sharing sensitive information, planning surprises, and sending confidential information like credit card details, and streaming app credentials without concerns about them being recorded or shared. The View Once voice messages will be marked with the “one-time” icon and can only be played once.

WhatsApp says View Once is an example of the company’s continued privacy innovation. Like the self-destructing photos and videos, WhatsApp’s disappearing voice messages are claimed to be protected with end-to-end encryption by default. The View Once voice messages are rolling out globally over the coming days.

How to send a View Once voice message on WhatsApp

  • Open a chat window on WhatsApp.
  • Tap and hold on the microphone icon in the bottom-right corner of the chatbox.
  • Swipe up to lock the recording Tap on and hold the record.
  • Tap the stylised View Once icon.
  • Tap Send once you’ve finished recording your message.

After the recipient hears the voice clip, the voice message will disappear from the chat. It will be replaced with text that reads “opened”. The View Once messages will vanish from the chat if the recipient does not open them within 14 days after they were sent. Also, users can not forward, save, star, or share voice messages that were sent or received with view once media is enabled.

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