Facebook, the parent company of WhatsApp and Instagram, introduced the Instagram Stories feature on WhatsApp called the “Status Updates” a few years ago. The feature allows users to share pictures and video clips that appear in a dedicated section in the app and disappear after 24 hours.
Now, WABetaInfo has found that WhatsApp is going to introduce new changes to Status Updates feature on the app like adding “quick reactions” and the ability to view Status Updates directly in the chats list. The new feature will be released in a future update on iOS and Android.
Here are the new changes coming to the “Status Updates” feature on WhatsApp
To enable users to quickly share their responses to the media posted by their contacts, WhatsApp is developing a new “quick reactions” feature. As seen in the screenshot shared by WABetaInfo, quick reactions will feature the following emojis:
- Smiling face with heart eyes
- Laughing face with tears of joy
- Surprised or Waoo face
- Folded hands
- Clapping hands
- Party popper
- 100 points
The reaction to Status Updates will appear in a separate message in chat and it is reported that the company might develop a dedicated interface for receiving reactions. Previously, it was found that the company is also testing “Messages Reactions” for chats.
Furthermore, the company is also working on showing Status Updates in the chat list to make them more visible on the app. Currently, Status Updates appear in a dedicated section. Users will be able to view the Status Updates by tapping on the profile picture and will be able to open a chat by tapping on the message or chat cell.
As you can see in this screenshot, the first contact has published a status update and it can also be seen right within the chats list or when the user is searching for chats and messages. If the user clicks on the chat cell, WhatsApp opens the conversation with the contact but if they click on the profile picture of the contact that published a status update, their status update shows up. Surely more people will start viewing status updates published by their contacts after the release of this feature.
Previously, WhatsApp announced multiple new features for group chats on the platform like “Communities” for users to bring different groups to one place and easily manage their communication and coordination, reactions to messages, and more.
