The new standalone multi-device architecture removes the need for the smartphone app to act as the central hub to use WhatsApp – users will be able to use WhatsApp on up to four other linked non-phone devices at any time, even while the phone is switched off. That means they cannot function when the phone is turned off or loses internet connectivity. The phone acts as the “source of truth” for all user data, meaning the app only mirrors the phone’s content. While WhatsApp has been offering several apps for non-phone devices for some time, its legacy architecture requires a smartphone to be linked with an active Internet connection, MyBroadbandreported. WhatsApp has begun rolling out multi-device capability to some users, simplifying usage for people using multiple phones and/or WhatsApp on their desktop. It is also reportedly testing features including transcription and a seek option to advance experiences with voice messages. In this case, you can continue sending messages to other contacts when listening to the voice message.

WABetaInfosaid that this feature could also be helpful when you receive a voice message that has a long duration. It does not allow for playing voice notes while the app is minimised. This feature aims to help multi-tasking users without the time to listen to minutes-long voice notes. While playing, a window will be pinned to the top of the app with an option to pause or stop playing the voice message. WhatsApp is also working on a global voice message feature that allows users to start a voice note and then exit a chat, view and reply to messages in other conversations in the app while continuing to play back the voice note. Users can also be manually added, or they can join using an invite link if the admin has shared it privately or publicly. WABetaInfo said that admins could invite other people to join the community. An example provided is a university degree course with all its teaching classes included as groups in this community. From today, WhatsApp is removing support for a number of old smartphone models, meaning you could lose out on use of the popular messaging app - find if yours is on the list below News UK News US. This includes a new feature for group chats called Communitiesthat will allow group admins to create a subset of dedicated chatrooms under an overarching chat.Īdmins can send messages in this group chat, and they will be able to group some groups related to the community. A number of new features are currently in the works for messaging service WhatsApp, according to the official WhatsApp official blog and insider website WABetaInfo.

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