Syed Imran Haider 
WhatsApp continues to update its features to promise improvements in texting experience. The telecommunication app is planning to unveil a handful of new features this year, starting in January.
The messaging giant has more than two billion global active users who use WhatsApp as a primary way to send messages over WiFi or data. Individuals use it for more than texting since it lets them share images, videos, and memes.
It tests new updates in beta versions before releasing them to users worldwide. WABetaInfo is the group of testers that test, inform, and provide insiders’ view of modifications added to the app.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp & Instagram, recently outlined numerous features and updates for the telecommunication app, including those that deal with blocked contacts, alerts, and status updates. WABetaInfo says users can expect a handful of changes for their instant messaging app soon this year.
The updates and changes the Meta-owned messaging app will have this year include the following:
1. Recognition of Text in WhatsApp ImagesÂ
WhatsApp will recognize text in the images users share through the app. The modification will come in handy in letting you copy and paste the text beneath the image in WhatsApp, though the app plans to provide support for it. The actual feature will only be accessible to users owning iOS 16.
2. Moving Chat History without Google Drive Â
WhatsApp users will be able to transfer their WhatsApp chat history from one Android device to another without needing Google Drive. It will be available in WhatsApp settings. The feature is still under testing process by WABetaInfo, which expects WhatsApp users to find it much easier to move their chats between their devices through this tech-savvy substitute.
3. Report Problematic Status & ContentÂ
WhatsApp users can report violations of the app’s message contacts, rules, and receive media. Soon the app will allow them to report statuses and other content containing objectionable data and offensive or defamation language.
4. Proxy Usage for WhatsApp ConnectivityÂ
WhatsApp often faces difficulty connecting with the platform because of government censorship in some countries. The Meta-owned app has recently received support for proxy functionality for users who needs the app’s downloaded version to use it anywhere. However, the feature is only available for the latest version of the instant messaging app.
5. Sharing Pictures with Their Original Quality
WhatsApp also plans to develop a new feature, allowing users to share images with their original resolution and compression. The company has shared more detail about the new feature on its official page, telling you how you can retain the image quality while sending it to another user on WhatsApp.
6. Haptic Feedback to React to a Message Â
It is another feature that WhatsApp will launch at any time in 2023. Earlier, WhatsApp users could respond to a message with an emoji in a chat across the app, whereas they will benefit from vibration feedback soon. According to WABetaInfo, the updated feature may come in handy in reacting more interactively.
The WhatsApp testers think the new feature will give users a more tactile experience. The haptic feedback will let them know about the successful registration of their taps on the app. The new feature will also enable visually impaired users to understand when they have reacted to a message.
7. Blocking Users through a ShortcutÂ
According to another update, the WhatsApp Beta version downloaded on Android devices will let users block annoying contacts through a shortcut. The company toed with the idea to make it easier to ban a user from contacting you.
WABetaInfo says the company plans to look at three ways to block a number quickly. These include using a shortcut accessible through the context menu in a chat preview. The chat options will always have another shortcut to ban a number. The final shortcut is a red button appearing when a user receives a message from an unidentified number with no previous chat history. WABetaInfo will also test this feature on iOS devices.
8. Adding Voice Content to Status
WhatsApp unveiled a new feature in a WABetaInfo-sourced beta version, which lets you record notes and share them with one or more contacts on the app.
The messaging platform will enable you to add voice content directly to your WhatsApp status. However, users cannot share voice statuses longer than 30 seconds. Like pictures and videos users share on their WhatsApp statuses, these voice notes will have an expiry after a 24-hour duration.
9. New Text EditorÂ
Lastly, WhatsApp will update the drawing tools with a new text editor. WABetaInfo says the app will soon incorporate three updates, including the option to modify the text alignment, change the background color for text, and switch numerous fonts by choosing the option above the keyboard.
