WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.18.18: what's new?

WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.24.18.18.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a voice chat mode feature to communicate with Meta AI, and it will be available in a future update!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.17.16 update, we announced that WhatsApp is working on a feature to choose the Meta AI voice. Through this addition, users will have the flexibility to personalize their interactions with Meta AI by selecting from a variety of voice options to find the one that better resonates with their preferences. Although this option is still in development, it seems that WhatsApp is currently in the process of fully bringing the voice chat mode to Meta AI. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.18.18 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a voice chat mode feature to communicate with Meta AI!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the ability to engage in real-time conversations with Meta AI through voice commands, scheduled for release in a future update of the app. This feature will offer a hands-free interaction experience in the future, allowing users to communicate more naturally and efficiently with the chatbot, as speaking can be quicker than typing. Meta AI will be able to respond using a selected voice, which users can choose according to their preferences. In addition, WhatsApp is testing a shortcut to invoke Meta AI with the voice chat mode feature already active by simply pressing the floating action button within the chats list, making it more convenient for users to start voice interactions with the chatbot in the future.

We believe that the new voice chat mode is designed to enhance the speed and natural flow of interactions, making Meta AI more responsive and versatile for various tasks. Users will be able to enable this mode manually and have Meta AI continuously listen to their commands, which could be especially useful in situations where typing is inconvenient or impossible. Additionally, the option to stop the voice chat mode at any time by leaving the chat or switching to text mode ensures that users maintain control over their privacy. Users will also be able to see if Meta AI has stopped listening through the visual indicator provided by the Android OS. This indicator manifests as a small icon in the status bar at the top of the screen, offering users greater control over their privacy and interactions with Meta AI.

A voice chat mode feature to communicate with Meta AI is under development and it will be available in a future update. We will keep you updated with an additional article as soon as we have more details to share about this feature.

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