WhatsApp introduces quick reactions: a double tap to add a heart to messages, audio, and video. Here’s how they will work.
New features for WhatsApp that will change the way you interact in chats.
The most popular messaging app in the world has announced that it is about to introduce a new feature that promises to make communication between users even more immediate and intuitive.
According to WABetaInfo, a site specialized in monitoring what’s new in the development versions of the app, WhatsApp is testing a quick reaction function similar to the one already present on Instagram.
This new option allows users to react to messages with a simple double tap, automatically adding a heart to the selected message. Currently, in the beta phase, this feature could soon be available to all users, improving daily interaction on the platform according to the developers.
However, many users have remembered that at the moment it is possible to react by also choosing other emoji. So here’s what will change with the new feature and what future problems the developers may encounter.
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WhatsApp, how rapid reactions work and what changes
Rapid reactions represent a significant evolution in the way users interact with messages on WhatsApp.
Until now, reacting to a message required you to hold down the text and then select the desired emoji from the menu. With the new function, however, a double tap will be enough to automatically add a heart to the message.
This quick reaction will apply not only to text but also GIF, images, and video, making it easier to express emotions and immediate feedback. WABetaInfo explains that this feature enhances user interaction by allowing quick reactions to multimedia content without returning to the chat view, following the trend already adopted by other social platforms such as Instagram.
Currently, the new feature is only available in the beta version of WhatsApp 2.24.16.7 for Android, but it is expected to be available for iOS soon. Initially, it will only be possible to interact with a heart that will appear in the bottom right corner of the message, but more custom emoji may be added for quick reactions in the future.
WhatApp, what are the possible problems of rapid reaction?
Despite the obvious benefits, the new quick reactions functionality could also lead to some inconveniences. One of the main problems reported by WABetaInfo is the impossibility to deactivate this function.
This means that clumsy users could accidentally react to messages simply by scrolling through the chat history. For example, an inadvertent double-tap on an old message could send an unintended heart, potentially causing misunderstandings or confusion in conversations.
It’s also currently unclear whether users will have the ability to replace the heart with other default reactions. Currently, although the quick reaction feature is limited to the use of the heart, users will still be able to use more emoji by pressing and holding the message and selecting the desired icon from the menu, exactly as happens today.
This allows for some flexibility, but may not be enough for those users who would prefer more customization of their quick reactions. Another aspect to consider is user adaptation to the new functionality. WhatsApp usage habits are ingrained, and introducing a change in the way you interact with messages may require an adaptation period.
If WhatsApp’s quick reactions do indeed mark a significant improvement in user interaction and responsiveness on the platform, Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta will need to carefully consider potential problems and a learning curve. It remains to be seen how this feature will be received by users and whether WhatsApp will make further improvements based on the feedback received during the testing phase.
Original article published on Money.it Italy 2024-08-04 07:50:00. Original title: WhatsApp, arriva il doppio tocco per sbloccare una funzione segreta
