Meta personal messaging platform has announced a series of new features for WhatsApp, designed to enhance the overall messaging experience and foster more dynamic interactions while using the app. These updates include enhancements to typing indicators, a new draft message function, and the introduction of voice note transcription.
Typing Indicators
WhatsApp is pushing out a new Typing Indicator feature to enhance real-time engagement in chats.
Typing Indicator is the new visual cue that users will see when the other user is typing on the platform.
Instead of the existing ‘Typing’ visual cue, users will now see the ‘…’ cue at the bottom of their screen along with the profile picture of the person typing the message.
The feature, which is available both in personal chats and group conversations is aimed at helping WhatsApp users identify who is typing a message quickly with the addition of profile pictures as a visual cue.
The new Typing Indicators would be especially useful during group chats as WhatsApp will add the profile pictures of all the participants who are typing a new message.
Voice Note Transcription
WhatsApp has also introduced a Voice Note Transcription feature, enabling users to read voice messages instead of listening to them. This is particularly useful for those who prefer to read their messages or are in environments where listening to audio is not feasible.
WhatsApp has not expressly addressed the question on whether the company is using AI to transcribe voice messages into text.
However, the messaging app has assured users that voice messages remain end-to-end encrypted as transcripts are generated on the device itself.
This means no one, including WhatsApp, can listen to the voice messages.
Draft Messages
The new Draft Message function allows users to save unsent messages with a “Draft” label, making it easier to return to and complete unfinished conversations. This feature enhances the app’s usability for ongoing chats by ensuring that users can easily locate their incomplete messages, whether they are quick replies or longer messages.
