WhatsApp introduces a dozen new features - Online Indicator, Pinch-to-Zoom, and more

WhatsApp's new Online indicator and highlight notification features have garnered the most attention.

Image: TechBird

In the fast-paced tech world, where many companies opt for incremental updates, focusing on solving specific user problems, WhatsApp has taken a bold step. They haven't just rolled out a few minor tweaks; instead, they've delivered a comprehensive update, introducing dozens of new features across their chats, calls, groups, and channels.

Today, Meta's flagship social messaging app, WhatsApp, unveiled a significant platform-wide enhancement. Traditionally, the company tests features in its beta program, releasing only a select few after months of evaluation. However, this time, WhatsApp surprised users by launching a whole suite of features simultaneously. These updates are primarily aimed at improving the overall user experience and quality of life within the app.

One of the most talked-about additions is the "Online" indicator within groups, which displays which members are currently active directly under the group name. While this functionality is familiar to users of platforms like Discord, its arrival on WhatsApp is a welcome convenience.

Addressing a common pain point for group chat users—the overwhelming influx of notifications—WhatsApp has introduced a highlight notification feature. This allows users to specifically notify certain individuals by mentioning them using the new "Notify for" setting. This feature, according to WhatsApp, helps "limit notifications for @mentions, replies, and messages from saved contacts or ‘All’ to receive all notifications." Of course, users can still react with emojis to messages, maintaining that essential level of emotional engagement.

WhatsApp app interface with new features: online indicator, pinch-to-zoom, event details, document scanning, voice transcripts. Image: WhatsApp

The event feature, initially launched for groups last year, has now been extended to one-on-one conversations. WhatsApp has also enhanced event management with the ability to RSVP as ‘maybe,’ invite a plus one, add end dates and times for longer events, and pin events within chats. Additionally, iPhone users can now enjoy a document-scanning feature, reducing the need for third-party apps for cropping, editing, and saving documents. Android users can also now set WhatsApp as their default app for calls and messages within their device settings.

Video calls have also received a significant upgrade with the introduction of a pinch-to-zoom feature. Moreover, WhatsApp has addressed user concerns regarding video call quality, now offering more reliable and higher-quality calls, dependent on internet bandwidth. Users can also now directly add participants to calls from chat threads. Channel admins can now share 60-second video clips, a highly requested feature.

Building on the voice chat transcript feature for regular chats, WhatsApp has now integrated voice transcript downloads for channels. To further promote channel visibility, admins can now generate QR codes for easy sharing with a wider audience.

These features are being rolled out globally. If you don't see them immediately, please be patient, as it may take some time for the updates to reach all users. WhatsApp has also hinted at more features in development, promising further enhancements. 

Stay tuned for updates as we bring you the latest news on WhatsApp's ongoing evolution.