WhatsApp is introducing fun new features to enhance the texting and calling experience ahead of the new year, the company announced on Thursday. For a limited time, WhatsApp users will be able to take advantage of new calling effects with the New Year theme during video calls. Further, the instant messaging platform rolled out new animations and sticker packs to match the festive vibe. Notably, Instagram, which is another app owned by Meta Platforms, recently introduced a limited-time feature dubbed 2024 Collage.
New Year Features on WhatsApp
According to WhatsApp, users can now make video calls during the holidays and apply festive backgrounds, filters, and effects, commemorating the new year. It also brings new animated reactions. When someone reacts to a message using select party emojis, a confetti animation will appear for both the sender and receiver.
The instant messaging platform also introduced new stickers. A curated New Year’s Eve (NYE) sticker pack is available, along with avatar stickers, matching the New Year theme. WhatsApp says these features are a great avenue for conveying holiday wishes in a fun and interactive way.
These features join other additions on WhatsApp in recent weeks. Last week, it rolled out even more effects for video calls, including puppy ears, underwater, and a karaoke microphone. Users can now select from a total of 10 effects. Further, users can now select specific participants for calls in groups without disrupting the entire chat.
Other New Features
WhatsApp previously introduced typing indicators for real-time engagement in chats. Following its arrival, users will see visual cues in chats along with the profile picture of the user who’s typing in one-to-one as well as group conversations.
Another recent addition is voice message transcripts. As the name suggests, WhatsApp provides users with a text-based transcription of the voice messages received from others. However, only the recipient can see a transcript of the voice message and not the sender. The platform emphasises that transcripts are generated on-device and no one else can hear or read its content.