10 new and upcoming features of WhatsApp! (23/07/2016)

1) In the past few years, WhatsApp has emerged as almost the de facto mode of communication in several countries around the globe.

The regular updates that the app gets too go a long way in helping its user base grow. The world's most popular instant messaging app has received a slew of new features in the past few months and is set to get many more in the near future.

Here are 10 such new as well as upcoming features of WhatsApp.

2) Often miss the 'call back' feature when making WhatsApp calls? WhatsApp has finally heard you.

With v2.16.189, users get the 'call back' option in the app. The feature appears on the app screen after a call is declined.

So far, 'call back' the feature is available only in WhatsApp's Android app. Also, it has not been rolled out via Google Play store, but is available in the app's latest beta version. Those interested can manually download and install the app's apk file from APKMirror website.

3) Another Android-only feature for now, voice mail will allow users to record messages by long pressing the 'mic' icon near the chat box.

Just like the 'call back' feature, it's not available through the Google Play store, but is available in the latest beta version.
For those who can't wait to test voice mail functionality, the apk can be had from APKMirror website.

4)  Often feel that you could quote a specific conversation in those long-threaded messages?

It's possible, thanks to a functionality WhatsApp added recently. The popular messaging app rolled out an update which brings message quote feature.

The update enables users to quote somebody's message(s) at the time of replying. Users just need to select a message which they want to reply to, following which a reply button comes up.

Then they need to tap the button, type in the reply and simply hit Send. Once this is done, the message is sent and the reply appears in quotes.

The feature works in both one-on-one as well as group chats. Along with this, users can also preview the quoted message inside a box.

5) Bored of chatting on WhatsApp with the same default system font? The company has silently rolled out a new feature to WhatsApp's Android app, which allows users to type in a new font.

The font appears similar to the Fixedsys typeface in Windows. However, so far this is the only option available. Also, while the new font is a welcome move from WhatsApp, using it can be difficult and even tiresome.

This is because users have to put backquote symbol (`) three times before and after the text they want to change the font of.

6) WhatsApp has added end-to-end encryption to all its messages.

Encryption ensures that only a message's sender and recipient can read messages, stopping communications from being intercepted in the path. And yes, just like messages, WhatsApp calls too are encrypted end-to-enThis means that WhatsApp and third parties can't listen to them. 

7) Another upcoming feature in WhatsApp is mentions. It will come in handy during group conversations, and works in a similar way as mentions work on Facebook.

It will reportedly show the name in a different coloured text. The feature is aimed to help users grab the attention of a specific user in group conversations.
The group invite feature will help users send a link to other people to join a group by just tapping on it.

8) WhatsApp is expected to add GIF support to its iOS app soon.

The feature has reportedly been spotted in iOS beta version 2.16.7.1.

Other instant messengers like WeChat, Line already support the same.  

9) The app is also speculated to soon feature support for bigger emoji.

This feature too is based on Apple's announcement regarding support for the same in the upcoming iOS 10.

10) Video calling was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android users in May, but dissappeared in later updates.

However, it is quite certain that the company will be introducing it in the near future. The feature appeared in WhatsApp beta for Android update (v2.16.80) via the Google Play beta testing program.

Rumours about the rollout of WhatsApp video calling feature have been there for quite a long time.