#whatsapp
#whatsapp

Meta's Llama 3 introduces the fastest AI image generation we've seen

Meta introduces Llama 3, showcasing real-time AI image generation in WhatsApp, surpassing competitors. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

Europe politics

Anger from campaigners as WhatsApp lowers age limit to 13 in UK and EU

Campaigners criticize Meta for lowering age limit on WhatsApp to 13, demanding more protection for children. [ more ]

www.nytimes.com

Tech industry

Meta Reports Profits More Than Tripled and Issues Its First Dividend

Meta reported a 25 percent increase in quarterly revenue and a tripled profit, driven by its ads business.

Meta plans to issue its first dividend and authorized $50 billion in share buybacks, while making heavy investments in capital infrastructure. [ more ]

moremeta

meta-ai

The Verge

Meta is adding real-time AI image generation to WhatsApp

Real-time AI image generation beta now available on WhatsApp by Meta allows creating images based on text prompts. [ more ]

ReadWrite

Meta tests AI on WhatsApp and Instagram users in India and parts of Africa

Meta AI is being tested on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger users in India and parts of Africa. [ more ]

TechCrunch

WhatsApp trials Meta AI chatbot in India, more markets | TechCrunch

WhatsApp is testing Meta AI chatbot in India to tap into its vast user base for scaling AI offerings. [ more ]

GSMArena.com

WhatsApp gets new text formatting options

New text formatting options on WhatsApp: bulleted lists, numbered lists, block quotes, and inline code.

Easy summoning of the formatting options using simple symbols or characters like '-', '>', and '`'. [ more ]

The Verge

WhatsApp adds new text formatting options to improve messaging

New formatting options added to WhatsApp: bulleted and numbered lists, block quotes, inline code.

Available on Android, iOS, Web, and Mac in addition to existing formats like bold and italic. [ more ]

GSMArena.com

WhatsApp testing new text formatting options for Android and iOS users

WhatsApp is testing new text formatting options for Android and iOS users.

The new formatting options include highlighting, bulleted lists, and numbered lists. [ more ]

Social Media Today

Whatsapp Adds Custom Stickers, New Text Formatting Options on Android

WhatsApp has added a new custom sticker creation option on iOS, allowing users to edit images from their camera roll into unique visual combinations.

WhatsApp is also rolling out new text formatting options on Android, including code blocks, quotes, and bullet points. [ more ]

Social Media Today

WhatsApp Adds Custom Stickers, New Text Formatting Options on Android

WhatsApp has added a new custom sticker creation option on iOS, allowing users to edit images from their camera roll into unique visual combinations.

WhatsApp is also rolling out new text formatting options on Android, including code blocks, quotes, and bullet points. [ more ]

english.elpais.com

Automate tasks, monitor medication and send photos without sacrificing quality: How to make the most of the iPhone

iOS has unique features for sending high-quality photos like Messages and AirDrop.

AirDrop on iOS 17 allows easy sharing of images and videos by proximity. [ more ]

TechCrunch

WhatsApp is rolling out an in-app tool for making custom stickers | TechCrunch

WhatsApp is launching a new feature on iOS that allows users to create, edit, and share their own stickers.

Users can personalize stickers using WhatsApp's editing tools, and the custom stickers will be saved in the sticker tray for future use. [ more ]

moreios

Mail Online

Sharing gossip? WhatsApp lets you send self-destructing voice notes

WhatsApp has introduced the ability to send self-destructing 'View Once' voice notes.

Voice notes can only be played once and vanish after being played. [ more ]

Engadget

WhatsApp now lets you share photos and videos in their original quality

WhatsApp is rolling out an update for iOS users that allows them to share photos and videos in their original quality with no compression.

The update treats media files as standard data files, rather than transforming them into chat window previews, allowing recipients to view the files in their original quality. [ more ]

Mail Online

WhatsApp trick lets you set Secret Codes on your most private chats

WhatsApp has introduced a new feature called 'Secret Codes' that allows users to set unique passwords on conversations for added privacy and security.

Users can choose to use words or emoji as their Secret Code and can lock individual chats by long-pressing the chat instead of going to the settings.

The Secret Codes feature also includes an option to hide the locked chats folder entirely from the chatlist, making them even more secure. [ more ]

Intelligencer

6 months ago

How Meta Is Monetizing the Decline of Facebook

WhatsApp is becoming increasingly crucial to Meta and is one of its fastest-growing services in its most mature market.

Ads on Facebook and Instagram that push users to WhatsApp and Messenger are expected to generate $10 billion in revenue this year.

Mark Zuckerberg envisions WhatsApp as the future private social platform. [ more ]

Mail Online

6 months ago

WhatsApp group voice chats are 'less disruptive' than calls

WhatsApp now offers 'voice chats' as an option for group conversations, allowing users to join and leave the chat as they please.

Voice chats have call controls at the top of the chat, making it convenient to unmute, hang up, or message the group without leaving the conversation. [ more ]

moreWhatsApp

GSMArena.com

1 week ago

Mobile UX

WhatsApp gets a new, fresher look and a darker dark mode

WhatsApp has updated its design with a native bottom navigation bar on Android and a new color palette focusing on reducing eye strain. [ more ]

Android Police

1 week ago

3 reasons WhatsApp could be your next big social network

WhatsApp has evolved into a viable social media option with channel and community features, offering a non-toxic alternative to traditional platforms. [ more ]

Exchangewire

63% of Publishers Concerned about Decline in Referral Traffic from Social; TikTok Introduces Ad Performance Updates; OpenAI States NYT Lawsuit is "Without Merit" - ExchangeWire.com

Publishers are concerned about the decline in referral traffic from social media, leading them to focus on their own direct channels.

TikTok is introducing new options for marketers, including Cross-Channel and Lift partners to analyze ad performance and measure incremental impact. [ more ]

Geeky Gadgets

How to add Custom GPTs to Whatsapp

Custom GPTs can be integrated into the WhatsApp platform to automate processes and improve customer interactions.

GPT-powered chatbots can handle a range of inquiries from FAQs to complex discussions, improving lead generation and customer support.

The integration of custom GPTs with WhatsApp is reshaping the way businesses automate their processes and interact with customers. [ more ]

Creative Bloq

1 week ago

Whatsapp's UI redesign looks clean and fresh

WhatsApp has revamped its UI design with a new color palette and improved accessibility features. [ more ]

Fast Company

5 days ago

The new, redesigned WhatsApp is what Android users always wanted

WhatsApp for Android rolled out its first major redesign; now resembles Apple's Messages with a cleaner, minimalist design, making it more appealing. [ more ]

www.dailymail.co.uk

WhatsApp launches four new text formatting options including lists

WhatsApp launches new text formats: bulleted lists, numbered lists, block quotes, inline code.

Users can now customize messages more effectively and save time in communication. [ more ]

The Verge

WhatsApp's custom sticker maker on iOS is here to spice up your chats

WhatsApp is rolling out a custom sticker maker for iOS users.

The sticker maker allows users to draw on top of images, add text, and edit existing stickers. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

EU data protection

Make ministers declare WhatsApp contact with lobbyists, MPs say

Ministers should declare WhatsApp contact with lobbyists or face a ban on official devices. [ more ]

GSMArena.com

Online Community Development

WhatsApp now gives you a new way to organize events

WhatsApp introduces new event organization feature within group chats. [ more ]

The Verge

Online Community Development

WhatsApp's new feature lets you plan your next event

WhatsApp introduces new group events feature for easier planning and organizing. [ more ]

TechCrunch

Online Community Development

WhatsApp now lets users plan and schedule events in Communities | TechCrunch

WhatsApp introduces new feature for organizing events in Communities. [ more ]

Creative Bloq

Graphic design

WhatsApp's latest update proves the internet hates change

Users had strong reactions to WhatsApp's minor tweak of capitalizing 'Online' and 'Typing' status indicators. [ more ]

GSMArena.com

Gadgets

Pixel 9 renders leak, vivo X Fold3, Galaxy M55 official, Week 13 in review

The Galaxy A55 shows a significant improvement in battery life over its predecessor.

vivo X Fold3 and X Fold3 Pro offer different features such as weight, processors, battery sizes, and camera setups. [ more ]

ReadWrite

WhatsApp update: New upgrades to photos and videos

WhatsApp is improving media sharing quality, allowing users to choose higher image quality.

Updates include video enhancement features like forwarding and rewinding by double tapping. [ more ]

BBC Sport

Soccer (FIFA)

Join the BBC Sport WhatsApp channels

Join BBC Sport, BBC Football, and BBC Cricket channels in WhatsApp for sports updates.

Enable notifications by ensuring the bell icon is displayed in the channels you follow. [ more ]

Theregister

Judge orders NSO Group to show Pegasus spyware source code

NSO Group ordered to share spyware source code with Meta's WhatsApp by federal judge in California

Significant legal setback for NSO Group as the court order requires sharing source code for relevant spyware [ more ]

Ars Technica

WhatsApp finally forces Pegasus spyware maker to share its secret code

WhatsApp to explore NSO Group's Pegasus spyware

WhatsApp granted access to full functionality of Pegasus spyware [ more ]

ReadWrite

WhatsApp is working on secure cross-app messaging to connect users across platforms

WhatsApp is working on enabling cross-app messaging across different messaging applications.

The move toward interoperability is due to regulatory pressures from the EU and the need to comply with the Digital Markets Act. [ more ]

WIRED

WhatsApp Chats Will Soon Work With Other Encrypted Messaging Apps

WhatsApp will allow people to message users from other apps, thanks to new EU rules on interoperability.

Interoperability will initially focus on text messaging, with calls and group chats to be added in the future. [ more ]

TechCrunch

morePrivacy professionals

PSA: Anyone can tell if you are using WhatsApp on your computer | TechCrunch

A security researcher found that it's possible to determine if a WhatsApp user is using more than just the mobile app.

Knowing the devices a user is using on WhatsApp can provide attackers with information to plot an attack or target users. [ more ]

www.france24.com

France news

France sells Riviera chateau seized from late Putin foe

The French Riviera chateau seized from Boris Berezovsky has been sold to an undisclosed buyer.

The buyer is rumored to be Jan Koum, the Ukrainian-born co-founder of WhatsApp. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Question Time audience member dismisses criticism of Sturgeon WhatsApps: Witch hunt'

An audience member on BBC Question Time defended Nicola Sturgeon after she faced criticism for deleting WhatsApp messages on her phone.

The audience member referred to the criticism as a 'witch hunt' against Sturgeon. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk

UK news

Sturgeon admits deleting WhatsApps but denies politicising Covid crisis

Nicola Sturgeon denies using the pandemic for political purposes and becomes emotional during the inquiry.

Sturgeon admits to deleting her own WhatsApp messages but downplays their importance. [ more ]

Social Media Today

Social media marketing

New Report Looks at Emerging Trends in Social Media and Messaging App Use

TV as primary news source decreasing in the US, while social media usage is increasing

WhatsApp usage is up 9% overall [ more ]

english.elpais.com

The case of Bad Bunny: What's the point of deleting your entire Instagram history?

Social media platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp allow users to reshape their digital identity by deleting or archiving posts and conversations.

Deleting or archiving posts on Instagram can signify detaching from the past, while deleting WhatsApp conversations can signify the end of a relationship. [ more ]

WIRED

Use WhatsApp on Android? Be Prepared to Pay for Message Backups

Users will soon have to pay for backups of their WhatsApp messages on Android.

The change is due to Google Drive's data storage policy adjustments in 2024. [ more ]

Engadget

WhatsApp Channels now let owners send voice messages

WhatsApp introduces voice updates for channels

Admins can share polls and have up to 16 administrators [ more ]

GSMArena.com

WhatsApp's 'View Once' feature for photos and videos expands to voice messages

WhatsApp has expanded the 'View Once' feature to voice messages, allowing users to send self-destructing audio messages.

The View Once audio messages can only be heard once by the recipient, cannot be saved, and display an 'Opened' label when read receipts are turned on. [ more ]

Social Media Today

WhatsApp Launches 'View Once' for Audio Messages

WhatsApp introduces View Once feature for voice messages for added privacy.

Voice messages sent using View Once will disappear once listened to. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

UK politics

End government by WhatsApp, urges former GCHQ head

The former head of GCHQ has called for an end to the government handling crises over WhatsApp, saying the platform might suit gossip and informal exchanges but is inappropriate for important decision-making.

Gadgets 360