DUBLIN:
WhatsApp, the world’s leading messaging platform, has begun rolling out a new feature designed to streamline user interaction, allowing individuals to initiate a chat with just a single tap directly from the status viewers list. The move significantly accelerates the speed of spontaneous communication on the platform.
Now, when a user views a status update, a dedicated chat button will appear next to their name. This crucial shortcut makes it possible to message the viewer instantly without exiting the status screen. Previously, the process required users to navigate away from the status view, find the contacts in the chats tab, and then start the conversation. The update is aimed at saving time and encouraging quick, spontaneous messaging prompted by status engagement.
The feature is currently available to beta testers on the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS and is slated for a gradual rollout to the wider user base in subsequent updates.
Design and Functionality Upgrades
In a broader effort to enhance the user experience, WhatsApp has simultaneously introduced several other new options. These include quick sharing options for status updates and a redesigned status layout. The view count display has now been relocated to the left side, mimicking the aesthetic of Instagram Stories.
Furthermore, WhatsApp has launched a built-in translation feature that enables users to translate incoming messages into their preferred language without the need to exit the app. To utilize the tool, a user simply needs to long-press a message and select the “Translation” option, choosing both the source and target languages.
Prioritizing Privacy in Translation
Crucially, WhatsApp has emphasized the feature’s adherence to its security protocols. All translations are processed locally on the device, ensuring messages remain protected under WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption. This mechanism guarantees that even Meta, the parent company, cannot access the translated content.
Currently, iPhone users have access to translations in over 19 languages, including French, German, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Turkish, and Japanese. Android users can access six languages, but they do not yet possess the advanced option for automatic translation of entire chat threads. On iOS, once automatic translation is enabled, every incoming message in that conversation is translated automatically, streamlining cross-language communication.
