All new features added to WhatsApp in December 2024
WhatsApp has focused on bringing users regular updates to the app. Here are all the updates for December 2024.
The instant messaging giant WhatsApp reportedly has more than two billion active monthly users worldwide.
It has quickly become part of millions of people's daily lives, including South Africans.
According to Statista, the Meta-owned platform is the most popular social media platform in South Africa, with 93.9% of internet users in the country using it monthly.
READ: Wikipedia's most popular English articles of 2024
Considering its massive global popularity, it's easy to understand the pressure WhatsApp faces to retain users while introducing new and innovative ideas to the platform.
Fortunately, WhatsApp has consistently delivered updates that enhance the user experience and introduce exciting new features.
In December 2024, it rolled out several updates and beta features designed to improve productivity and enrich users' daily lives.
1. Animated confetti reaction
Available on: Android and iPhone
Users can now enhance their reactions with the animated confetti emoji, which displays a colourful confetti pop-up when selected.
2. WhatsApp document scanner
Available on: iPhone
This feature allows iPhone users to scan and crop documents automatically through the Document tab in the attachment window. It highlights text effectively, making document handling seamless.
3. Choose group call participants
Available on: Android and iPhone
Select specific participants when making group calls to avoid ringing everyone unnecessarily. Other group members can still join ongoing calls if needed.
4. Dedicated call tab
Available on: Desktop app
A new tab for calls allows users to place calls, create call links, and dial numbers directly, improving the desktop app's functionality and consistency.
Upcoming WhatsApp features in Beta
5. WhatsApp call dialer
Testing on: Android
An in-app dialer lets users make calls by entering numbers directly without saving them. It checks if the number is linked to WhatsApp and highlights verified business accounts with a blue checkmark.
6. Forward messages and media to Meta AI
Testing on: Android
Share messages or media files directly with Meta AI for quick queries or suggestions. This feature simplifies interaction with the generative AI tool on WhatsApp.
7. Translate chats on WhatsApp
Testing on: Android
Download a language pack to translate messages natively, breaking down
language barriers while keeping your translations offline and secure.
8. Reply to voice notes
Testing on: Android
Quickly reply to voice notes with a shortcut that appears when listening to a message, enabling swift responses via recorded voice replies.
9. Online counter for group chats
Testing on: Android
View the number of currently active participants in a group chat at the top of the page. Hidden online statuses won't reflect in the count.
10. Unified status updates menu
Testing on: Android
Combine status updates and channel creation in one menu, streamlining the process with options like Photo, Camera, Text, and New Channel.
11. Connect AI to WhatsApp Business
Testing on: Android and iPhone
Businesses can link AI tools to handle customer queries during busy times. Customers are informed when they’re interacting with AI for transparency.
12. Manage playback speed for videos
Testing on: Android
Adjust video playback speed from 1.0x to 2.0x directly within the app. This helps skip uninteresting parts of videos shared on WhatsApp.
13. Share content on other apps
Testing on: Android
Share media or text directly with other apps without downloading it first, simplifying cross-platform content sharing.
14. Chat history sync progress
Testing on: iPhone
Track the sync progress of chat history on linked devices, offering transparency on how much data is synced and what’s left.
15. Reverse image search on desktop
Testing on: WhatsApp Web
Use reverse image search on WhatsApp Web to identify fake news or verify image authenticity directly through Google-powered tools.
Source: Beebom
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