WhatsApp to test a home screen widget to send voice messages
WhatsApp is working on a new home screen widget for Android that will let users record and send voice messages. The widget will appear on the home screen and give users a faster way to record a voice message. Once users record the voice note, they will be able to choose who to send it to before the message is delivered.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Widget for voice messages |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development, and it is not available for beta testing. In the meantime, you can read this article for a sneak peek. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is rolling out a redesigned About section on Android! |
WhatsApp is developing a home screen widget for status updates on Android
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.18.5 update, we announced a new widget that shows who shared status updates. The widget will let users see recent status activity directly from the home screen, without opening the app. It will also include a shortcut to create new status updates instantly. WhatsApp's ranking system will select the contacts to show in the widget, giving priority to the people users interact with most.
WhatsApp is now working on a second home screen widget for voice messages
The widget for status updates is still under development, and it is not yet available to all users. WhatsApp is currently refining the experience ahead of the public release. But now, WhatsApp is working on a second widget that focuses on voice messages rather than status updates. We discovered the news with the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.24.2 update, which is available on the Google Play Store. Specifically, WhatsApp will introduce a home screen widget that lets users record and send voice messages.
How the voice message widget for WhatsApp will look and work
The widget will have a default size of 3x1 on the home screen, but users can resize it after placing it. Users can tap on the widget to start the recording, which makes sending a voice message faster than before. Once the recording is complete, users can choose who to send it to. For example, they can decide to send it to either a single contact or multiple recipients at once. This makes it one of the fastest ways to send a voice message on Android.
Why a dedicated widget for voice messages may make sense
Voice messages are one of the most used features in WhatsApp, and many users send them regularly throughout the day. To send a voice message, users need to open the app, find the right chat, and then record the note. If users want to send the same voice note to multiple contacts, they also need to forward it to other chats. A new widget will make this process easier, as users can record and send a message in seconds from the Home Screen. Users will also be able to share the voice note as a status update. For users who frequently rely on voice messages, this could become one of the most useful shortcuts on their home screen.
WhatsApp keeps expanding its home screen widget lineup on Android
The voice message widget is not the first home screen shortcut WhatsApp is developing for the Android app. As previously announced, a widget for status updates is already in the works. WhatsApp is clearly investing in home screen shortcuts as a way to bring key features closer to users. Both widgets target actions that users perform frequently: checking status updates and sending voice messages. Having them on the home screen will simplify access to two of the most used features in the app.
WhatsApp is developing the widget for voice notes for a future Android update
The widget for voice messages is currently under development, and it is not available to users yet. WhatsApp has not enabled it for beta testers at this stage, and no official timeline for its release has been announced. However, we expect the feature to become available to beta testers in a future update before rolling out to all users in the stable version.
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