WhatsApp is set to introduce a new feature for its Android users that enables them to mention individuals in status updates, according to a feature tracker. This mention capability is designed to maintain privacy, allowing only the user who uploads the status and the individuals mentioned to view it. The feature appears to mirror a similar functionality found in Instagram Stories, where notifications are sent to users who are mentioned.
WhatsApp Status Update Mentions Feature
A report from WABetaInfo indicates that this feature was detected in the WhatsApp beta version 2.24.20.3 for Android. However, it is currently inaccessible for users registered in the Google Beta Programme, meaning they cannot test it yet.
According to a screenshot provided by the feature tracker, this new option is specific to the process of updating status. Currently, tagging others is not permitted; however, the anticipated update will allow users to tag their saved contacts. The feature is identified as “mentions.”
The mention icon, denoted by an ‘@’ symbol, will appear in the text field before the send button. Additional screenshots elaborate on the feature, explaining that the mentioned user will receive a notification indicating that they have been mentioned, as well as a direct message related to it. Following this mention, users will have the ability to view and reshare the status.
Once a status is updated, the name of the mentioned user will be displayed beneath the uploader’s name. Given the feature’s privacy settings, only the uploader and the mentioned user can see this information, allowing for discreet sharing of statuses without alerting a broader audience.
In addition to the mentions feature, WhatsApp is reportedly developing a Meta AI voice mode. This feature aims to facilitate two-way voice communication using artificial intelligence, offering multiple voice options that may include various accents, including US and UK variations. The report also suggests that Meta may incorporate voices of certain public figures, though specific names have yet to be disclosed.
