WhatsApp for Android is reportedly experimenting with a new gesture-based feature aimed at enhancing the speed at which users can react to messages. This potential feature could allow users to swiftly react to messages by double-tapping them, triggering a default emoji response. This builds on a previously reported feature in development that would enable quick reactions to received media, such as photos and videos, directly from the media viewer screen.
According to WABetaInfo, a tracker for WhatsApp beta developments, the quick message reaction feature was identified in WhatsApp for Android beta app version 2.24.16.7. Upon release, this feature would allow users to react to messages simply by double-tapping them, making the process faster and more efficient. The default reaction appears to be the ‘heart emoji,’ mirroring similar functions found in other Meta Platforms' applications like Instagram and Facebook.
The introduction of this feature is intended to streamline the process of reacting to messages. Instead of pressing and holding a message to select an emoji, users would just need to double-tap to accomplish the same task. This capability is currently limited to beta testers and is still in the development stage. As a result, only those participating in the latest version of the WhatsApp for Android beta through the Google Play Beta program may have access to it. Staff members of Gadgets 360 were not able to verify its availability in the WhatsApp for Android beta app.
Beyond quick message reactions, WhatsApp is also working on numerous other enhancements. These include live transcription of voice messages and real-time translation of messages. Additionally, the platform's artificial intelligence chatbot, known as Meta AI, is expanding its functionalities with broader language support, Imagine Edit, and Imagine Me.
The platform is also unveiling the opportunity to test the Llama 3.1 405B, the latest AI model from the company. Meta claims this AI model is better suited for dealing with complex queries and solving advanced mathematical problems.