WhatsApp is gearing up to introduce two new features that promise enhanced privacy and more convenient video viewing. The popular messaging platform, owned by Meta, is making strides to provide a more versatile and user-friendly experience for its vast user base.
Alternate Profile Feature for Added Privacy
WhatsApp is developing an “alternate profile” feature, allowing users to set up a secondary profile within the app. This feature comes as a response to the growing need for enhanced privacy and control over profile information. The alternate profile essentially enables users to display one profile to a certain group of contacts while showing a different profile to others.
The upcoming alternate profile setting on WhatsApp Image Credit: WABetaInfo
To implement this, WhatsApp has introduced a new setting under Privacy > Profile photo > Alternate profile. This setting offers a nuanced approach to profile visibility. Currently, the app provides four options: Everyone, My contacts, My contacts except…, and Nobody. With the alternate profile feature, users can exercise more control over their profile information, particularly their profile photo and name.
For users who restrict profile access to a select group of contacts, the alternate profile becomes a valuable tool. It allows them to set an alternative profile picture and name that will be visible to those contacts who cannot view the primary profile. In essence, this feature enhances the user’s privacy and allows them to present different information to different groups of contacts.
As of now, the alternate profile feature is still in development and is available in the beta version of WhatsApp for Android, specifically in WhatsApp beta 2.23.24.4.
Video Forward and Playback Gesture for Effortless Navigation
WhatsApp is also working to improve video playback convenience with a new feature. In the latest beta version (WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.20.20), users can experiment with a video-seeking gesture. This gesture involves a double-tap on the left and right sides of the screen, eliminating the need to drag the seek bar for video navigation.
This feature streamlines the process of seeking forwards and backward within a video. It mirrors a functionality already present in various video streaming apps, including YouTube. Users can swiftly rewind to rewatch a specific section of a video or skip ahead if they want to bypass a portion they’ve already viewed.
While this feature is currently available to beta testers, it’s expected to make its way to all users in a future version of the WhatsApp app. The double-tap gesture for video seeking is a user-friendly addition that aligns with the platform’s commitment to enhancing the overall user experience.
WhatsApp remains at the forefront of messaging app development, consistently introducing new features and functionalities that cater to the evolving needs of its diverse user base.