IT LOOKS like WhatsApp is lining up a major overhaul of its app for users on iPhone and Android.
Testers have been sent an early version of an upcoming update that introduces a major change in how you send photos to your friends and family.
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The change was uncovered on Wednesday by WABetaInfo, a tech website with a strong track record of uncovering WhatsApp features before they launch.
An early “beta” version of the app seen by the tech website overhauls the media picker that allows you to send photos and videos to your contacts.
It shows two tabs for picking media files –as opposed to one – when you send a picture from the in-app camera.
A “recent” tab shows recent GIFs, videos, and photos, while a “gallery” tab shows your other files.
According to WABetaInfo: “The redesigned media picker allows picking multiple images and videos.
“Like other features previously announced on this website, it’s under development and it will be available in a future update.”
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It’s not the only new feature that WhatsApp is said to be working on.
Another on the horizon is expected to allow users to react to a message using different emojis, such as a smiling or angry face.
It could work similarly to Facebook’s reaction buttons, which let you respond to posts and comments with “love,” “haha,” “wow,” “sad” and “angry.”
the feature was launched last week in the newest beta (version 22.2.72) of the app – a work-in-progress sent out to testers before launch – on iOS.
According to WABeta info, a new “reactions notifications” option appears under WhatsApp’s notifications settings in version 22.2.72.
Users can either enable or disable these reactions in their notifications.
The notifications will let you know when someone has reacted to one of your messages in group or individual chats.
Users can select which tone to play when they receive those notifications.
The feature is currently unavailable to WhatsApp’s wider user base but will likely be made available in an update released in the coming months.
“Unfortunately, it’s still not possible to react to messages,” WABetaInfo wrote.
“But the fact that it’s possible to manage these settings suggests that message reactions will be available very soon.”
WhatsApp may still decide to pull the plug on it before release, so there’s no guarantee that message reactions will make it to public release.
How to get WhatsApp beta
To download WhatsApp beta for your smartphone you need to go to Google Play on your Android and search for WhatsApp.
Scroll down the page until you see “Become a Beta Tester”.
Tap the “I’m In” button and then click “Join” to confirm.
Now all you have to do is wait for the update to the beta version of the app.
Joining the WhatsApp beta on iPhone is more difficult, and has limited capacity.
Follow Apple’s guide here.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
