WhatsApp's Planned New Features: Mute Button, Emoji In Video Calls, Advanced Chat Privacy

WhatsApp is launching a new set of capabilities for users as part of its Android app update through the Google Play Beta Program.

According to WABetaInfo, the WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.25.10.16 focuses on improving voice and video call experience and comes on the heels of version 2.25.10.14, which had an advanced chat privacy feature that would limit message sharing.

The new features are available to some beta testers, and WhatsApp will roll them out to more users over the next few weeks.

As per WABetaInfo, three new features aim to improve voice and video calling:

• Mute Button: The new mute button, which shows up in the notification panel when a voice call comes in, enables users to both answer the call and mute the microphone, which is helpful when they need to answer a call fast but do not want to start talking right away. 

• Turn Off Video Before Joining: The option to turn off video before answering an incoming video call is another addition. Earlier, users had to take the call before turning their camera off but can now opt to join a video conference with their camera turned off beforehand, offering extra privacy protection.

• Emoji Reactions: WhatsApp is also adding emoji reactions to video calls, making them more expressive and creative. Without speaking, users can respond to jokes with a laughing emoji, signal agreement with a thumbs-up, or offer gratitude with a heart. 

As part of the Advanced Chat Privacy feature that WhatsApp plans to roll out in the future, users will be able to prevent media from being automatically stored to the device gallery by enabling the setting. 

WhatsApp will also disallow the export of chat history that contain messages from users who have chosen advanced chat privacy. Furthermore, participants in the same conversation will not be able to communicate with Meta AI if advanced chat privacy is enabled.