WhatsApp is expected to get these new features soon
WhatsApp is constantly adding new features to make the messaging platform more functional and secure for its billions of users. Over the past few weeks, we have seen the introduction of the dark mode, in-app payments, biometric authentication, and new group privacy controls. However, several new features and changes are on the cards and here we recall some of the more important ones.
Shopping
Facebook already has a shopping feature on Instagram, and it could soon bring something similar to WhatsApp. In November 2019, we saw a virtual catalog feature on the messaging app, which allows sellers to display their items for potential customers. However, buyers need to contact the merchant to make payment. In the future, the shopping feature could support in-app payments for easier checkout.
Advertisements
Facebook intended to bring ads into WhatsApp conversations sometime this year. However, reports suggest that the company has disbanded that team for now. Instead, Facebook is now planning to plug ads into WhatsApp's Status feature. This is expected to work the same way you see short, full-screen ads on Instagram stories.
Self-destructing messages
WhatsApp is also working to introduce a new self-destructing message feature (also referred to as "Delete Message") that automatically deletes sent messages after a pre-determined time period (an hour, a day, a week, a month or a year). So, if a user selects the 1-hour option, every message sent in that particular chat will disappear after an hour.
In-app browser and Boomerang videos
WhatsApp is also readying an in-app browser that will allow you to open web links without leaving the app, similar to Twitter and Facebook. Notably, some rumors suggest the browser would also warn if you happen to open a malicious link. Finally, WhatsApp will also get support for Boomerang videos that you can use to create and share short, looping clips with your contacts.
