Abishek D Praphullalumar
WhatsApp has launched a major feature bundle that touches nearly every part of the platform—chats, calls, and channels. In group chats, a new ‘Online’ status indicator now shows who’s active, and users can choose ‘Highlight’ notifications to only get alerts for mentions and important contacts. You can also now create and pin events in both group and 1:1 chats, RSVP as “maybe,” invite guests, and even add an end time.
In calls, iPhone users can pinch to zoom during video calls, and there’s an option to add participants to an ongoing 1:1 call directly from a chat. WhatsApp has also upgraded its call routing and video quality system for smoother, HD calls when the bandwidth allows. iOS users can now set WhatsApp as their default messaging app too.
On the Channels side, admins can now share 60-second video notes, generate QR codes, and offer voice message transcripts. These updates reflect WhatsApp’s push to keep both casual users and content creators more engaged than ever.
