Meta is updating WhatsApp with several new features, including music support for Status Updates, personalized emojis, an ‘Add Yours’ sticker that allows users to create interactive challenges and prompts, and a dedicated poll sticker. These updates aim to enhance the messaging platform’s functionality while maintaining its focus on end-to-end encryption.
The ‘Add Yours’ sticker will enable users to create public threads in stories, similar to Instagram’s feature, but with an added layer of privacy. Users can choose specific individuals or all contacts to see their responses. In contrast to Instagram, where interactions are not end-to-end encrypted, the WhatsApp version will maintain confidentiality.
WhatsApp is also working on a ‘Search on web’ feature for images, which allows users to run a Google Lens search directly from the app, and a new shortcut that takes users straight to their device’s gallery app. These features aim to simplify media-sharing within the platform.
The ‘poll’ sticker is another interactive feature currently in development. It will allow status viewers to vote on polls with multiple choices, similar to regular in-chat polls but integrated into Status Updates. The feature’s release timing remains uncertain.
These updates demonstrate WhatsApp’s continued effort to innovate and enhance its features while prioritizing user privacy and security.
Source: https://www.androidpolice.com/whatsapp-is-now-ripping-add-yours-right-out-of-instagram