WhatsApp has long been a dominant player in the messaging app landscape, continually evolving to meet user needs and preferences. Recently, there have been exciting updates on two significant features that are poised to enhance the user experience: customizable chat themes and improved privacy with a new username PIN feature. Here’s a comprehensive look at what these features could mean for WhatsApp users.
Customizable Chat Themes
What’s New?
One of the most anticipated updates for WhatsApp is the introduction of customizable chat themes. This feature aims to offer users greater personalization options for their messaging environment. According to feature trackers, such as WABetaInfo, the chat theme feature will allow users to change both the color of chat bubbles and the background using a selection of preset themes or custom options.
Development Insights
Earlier this month, WABetaInfo identified that WhatsApp was working on a theme picker menu in a beta version of WhatsApp for Android. Although the feature was not yet active in that build, the iOS beta version 24.17.10.71 has provided a glimpse into how this feature will function.
When fully implemented, the theme picker will present users with ten preset themes. These will be displayed in two horizontally scrolling rows:
- Top Row: Solid color backgrounds.
- Bottom Row: Themes based on landscape art.
Each theme will affect the color of chat bubbles to match the background. This design aims to create a cohesive and visually appealing chat environment.
Current Status
As of now, the theme picker feature is still under development and is not available to beta testers. Users who have the latest beta version of WhatsApp for iOS via TestFlight will need to wait until the feature is officially released. Importantly, unlike similar features in Instagram and Messenger, WhatsApp’s chat themes will be user-specific. This means that only the user who applies a theme will see it; other chat participants will not be affected.
Enhanced Privacy with Username and PIN Feature
What’s New?
Another significant development is the addition of a username feature combined with a PIN for added privacy. This new feature aims to allow users to initiate conversations without disclosing their phone numbers. Additionally, a username PIN feature will help users manage their interactions and prevent unwanted contacts.
Development Insights
The recent beta update for WhatsApp on Android (version 2.24.18.2) has revealed details about the upcoming username and PIN functionality. Users will be able to set up a unique username and subsequently establish a PIN. This PIN will be required to start new conversations using the username.
How It Works
Here’s how the username PIN feature is expected to function:
- Username Setup: Users will choose a unique username.
- PIN Setup: After selecting a username, users will be prompted to set up a PIN.
- Conversation Control: The PIN must be shared with others to initiate conversations with the username.
This mechanism is designed to give users greater control over who can contact them, potentially reducing spam and unwanted messages.
Current Status
While the username feature is still in development and has not yet been made available to beta testers, the advanced PIN functionality represents a significant step towards enhancing user privacy and control within the app.
Conclusion
The upcoming features for WhatsApp, including customizable chat themes and the username PIN, are set to significantly improve user experience. With chat themes offering a new level of personalization and the username PIN enhancing privacy and control, these updates reflect WhatsApp’s ongoing commitment to evolving its platform to meet user demands. As these features move from development to widespread release, users can look forward to a more personalized and secure messaging experience.
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