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WhatsApp has reportedly started developing five new features, which might come to the platform soon. This is for the first time we’re hearing that the Meta-owned messaging app is working on five new features simultaneously, showing WhatsApp’s commitment to add fuel to the fire of competition with Telegram.
The new features are spotted by WaBetaInfo in the beta version of WhatsApp. Also, it’s unclear when they will find the way to the stable version.
The first feature that WhatsApp is working on is the ability to chat with yourself. It works like the Saved Messages feature on Telegram. As you can see in the below image, a ‘Message Yourself’ option is added to the WhatsApp contacts section so users can have hassle-free access to it. This could be a great add-on as WhatsApp currently needs a feature like Telegram’s Saved Messages, and users have a hard time saving their favorite content within the app.
WhatsApp is working on five new features
Additionally, WhatsApp might allow for setting profile pictures for individual contacts in Group chats. When receiving a message from each group member, the dedicated profile picture will be shown to you. Also, if the person has no profile picture or it’s hidden because of privacy settings, the default profile icon will be displayed in the chat. Again, we’ve seen this feature on Telegram for a long time, but it’s good to have it on WhatsApp too.
The ability to forward media with captions is another WhatsApp feature that is yet under development. The feature lets users forward different media, including videos, images, documents, and Gifs, with an attached caption. You can now access this feature on the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.22.23.15 through Google Play Store.
The fourth under-development feature is a new blur tool for images. In April, we reported that WhatsApp is testing a new blur tool and drawing features. The feature reportedly allows users to blur sensitive parts of an image with the ability to choose the blur size. This is quite practical when you want to send an image of your ID card or credit card through WhatsApp.
Lastly, WhatsApp wants to allow its Windows and macOS users to control the media auto-download feature. You can set which media types should be automatically downloaded through the menu.
