WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.23.18.9.
What’s new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature to reply to status updates using avatars, and it will be available in a future update of the app!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Avatar reply – Status updates |
| Status? | Under development |
| Availability? | WhatsApp is working on bringing a reply with an avatar feature for status updates, to a future update of the app. |
| I’ve installed this update but I don’t have this feature. Why? | This feature is under development so it’s not ready for beta testers, but you can discover a preview in this article. |
| Thanks: | Swakshan, for collaborating, testing, and reporting! |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.17.1.76: what’s new? WhatsApp is rolling out a redesigned tooltip when switching between audio and video mode! |
AVATAR REPLY – STATUS UPDATES
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.22.17.24 update, we announced a feature that allows users to react to status updates by choosing one from the 8 available emojis. With this feature, WhatsApp aimed to improve engagement with status updates, making it easier for users to express their emotions. However, we also discovered that WhatsApp plans to improve how users can reply to status updates by introducing a new feature. Specifically, thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.18.9 update, we can now announce that WhatsApp is going to bring an avatar reply feature to a future update of the app!
As you can see in this screenshot, you will still be able to react to a status update with an emoji. However, WhatsApp has also plans to extend this feature by bringing the ability to reply with an avatar. Since the user has only 8 emojis available with the regular reaction feature, they will be able to reply to a status update by choosing one from the available set of 8 avatars. This definitely improves the overall experience while replying to status updates.
In our opinion, providing users with the feature to reply to a status update using avatars offers distinct advantages compared to reacting with one of the 8 available emojis. This is particularly beneficial because an avatar would allow users to better express their emotions, transcending the limitations often posed by the concise language of emojis. We believe that the inclusion of avatars definitely encourages users to reply when an emoji is not enough.
The feature to reply to status updates using avatars is under development and it will be available in a future update of the app. As always, we will publish a new article when we have further details about this feature to share with you.
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