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WhatsApp is exploring new functionalities for its messaging app, with one standout feature allowing users to share files through a local network, bypassing the need for an internet connection. Additionally, the platform is testing a contact note feature that lets users attach personalized notes to individual contacts. The local file-sharing feature, unveiled through screenshots from WhatsApp's Android beta version 2.24.9.22 (courtesy of WABetaInfo), reveals that users could share various types of files, such as photos and documents, with nearby WhatsApp users via a local network, without using cellular data or an internet connection. To enable this feature, users must opt in to be discoverable to nearby users. However, they can revoke this permission at any time, ensuring user control over their visibility. Moreover, WhatsApp assures users that file sharing through this method will be end-to-end encrypted, maintaining the same level of security that WhatsApp messages are known for. Another feature in development is the ability to add notes to contacts. Screenshots from the Android beta version 2.24.9.17 show a new field on the contact sheet for users to add personal notes about their contacts. These notes are visible only to the user who created them and will not be shared with the contacts themselves. This function is expected to be available on both the mobile app and WhatsApp Web. These features are currently in beta testing, and there is no official word on their release date. However, if user feedback during testing is favorable, these features could soon become part of a WhatsApp update. Earlier reports indicated that WhatsApp might introduce a new feature designed to enhance user interaction. This upcoming feature, identified during beta testing, aims to highlight recent online contacts, allowing users to easily start conversations with people they have interacted with recently. Spotted during beta testing by WABetaInfo, this forthcoming feature is expected to provide users with an easier way to connect with friends, family, and colleagues who are currently active or were recently online. Amazon Summer Sale is here! Splurge and save now! Click Here!
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Published: 23 Apr 2024, 10:57 PM IST
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