WhatsApp has been working on a chat messages translation feature since July, and now we have learned that the Meta-owned instant messaging platform is also working on a feature that will translate channel updates into different languages.
This revelation comes from WABetaInfo, who discovered this feature in version 2.24.26.9 of WhatsApp beta for Android. It’s currently unavailable for beta users since it’s still under development, but the screenshots shared by WABetaInfo reveal there will be a toggle to translate new updates in the channel and messages in chats.
This translation will happen on-device for security and privacy reasons without requiring an active internet connection; hence, users will be required to download language packs to use the translation feature, which means the translation won’t be accurate. It’s a trade-off necessary for privacy.
WhatsApp will initially support English, Hindi, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, and Portuguese languages, but more could be supported later on.
While there’s no word from WhatsApp about when this translation feature will be rolled out to all, the company has announced new calling features for desktop and mobile users ahead of the holiday season.
For starters, WhatsApp users can now select specific participants from a group chat for a call without disturbing all the group members. They can also choose from ten effects for video calls.
On desktop, WhatsApp makes it easier to start a call, create a call link, or dial a number directly when a user clicks the calls tab. WhatsApp also says you can now have higher resolution video for 1:1 and group calls.
Source 1, Source 2
