Not all WhatsApp updates are equal. Occasionally, something major like the recent username update will hit the app store. At other times, the Meta-owned messenger will get to work on something so inconsequential — looking at you, custom emoji reactions — it’s not worth even discussing. ‘Til WhatsApp drops a whole bunch at once.
In a new blog post, WhatsApp today confirmed four new features are heading to the messenger. Technically three — since we’ve already covered being able to sign up a new WhatsApp account right from your iPad. That feature was quietly shipped out at the beginning of the month until WhatsApp had more features ready to push.
Worth the update
That leaves three new features to play around with. The first of those is a revamped CarPlay and Android Auto experience. The idea is to make the messenger wholly hands-free — a good thing for an app designed to be used in a metal box hurtling along the highway at 120km/h. “Now you can hear and respond to messages, make calls, see your call history, and reach your favorites – hands-free and right from your car’s screen.”
For many, the next upgrade will hardly register on their radar. But for diehard desktop and WhatsApp Web users, it’s a blessing. You can now open PDFs right inside WhatsApp without downloading them first and make some “lightweight” edits like highlighting and annotating in the chat. It’s got Adobe Acrobat behind it, so you know it’ll actually work.
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Finally, WhatsApp’s borrowing yet another Instagram feature by adding music into Status updates. The feature seems simple enough to use. Boot up a new Status as you normally would, and you’ll find the ‘Music’ tab at the top. From there, search and select the song you’d like your contacts to be subjected to. The app only supports libraries from Spotify and Apple Music, though users aren’t required to hook up their accounts first.
All these features are currently rolling out across WhatsApp, the company said. As ever, it may take some time for specific features to reach your device, but rest assured that they’re coming. Eventually.
