WhatsApp was speculated to be working on the message reactions feature for quite sometime. However, the feature is now getting ready for a stable launch.
HIGHLIGHTS
- WhatsApp is working on a new message reactions feature.
- The Reactions feature has now been rolled out on iOS for beta.
- The Reactions feature is already available on Facebook, Messenger and Instagram
WhatsApp has long been rumored to be working on an iMessage-like reactions feature. However, the latest update reveals that the feature could be set for a public launch soon. The Reactions feature that the messaging app is working on would let users react to messages with an emoji. The feature is available on Facebook and iMessage already.
A new report by Wabetainfo has revealed that version 22.2.72 of WhatsApp beta for iOS has got new settings to manage reactions. This hints that the message reactions feature will be available to the public sooner than is expected. However, the ability to react to messages using emojis is still missing in the iOS beta update.
In the screenshot shared by Wabetainfo, a toggle button to turn and off the message reactions can be seen. It will let users manage when they should receive notifications for reactions, for individual chats and groups, and which tone to play when you receive those notifications. The screenshot does not reveal anything about how the message reactions feature will look once it is rolled out. However, the fact that users are now getting the option to manage reactions is indicative of the fact that the message reactions feature will be available to users soon.
A couple of months ago, the feature was spotted in the settings, but now the feature is being rolled out to the beta testers. So, from what the screenshot reveals, users will not only get to enable or disable notifications for messages and group chats, it will also let users choose whether or not to receive notifications for reactions.
On a related note, WhatsApp is also working on dozen other features, the latest feature that the messaging app was spotted working has got lots to do with the voice notes. WhatsApp will soon allow users to listen to voice notes even after the chat window is closed. The current setup lets users listen to the voice notes as long as the chat window is open. Once you close the chat window, the voice note gets interrupted too. However, things might change in the future update.
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