New WhatsApp features in 2020 – Dark Mode, self-deleting texts and catfish-busting photo tool
WHATSAPP is constantly getting new features, and 2020 is set to bring some seriously handy tricks to the app.
It looks all but certain that you'll find get Dark Mode, plus a brand new feature that will expose fake "catfish" contacts trying to hoodwink you.
WhatsApp Dark Mode
The tool expected to launch in the coming months inverts the colours of your screen to create a darker theme for messaging in the dark.
Developers hope the change, which you'll have the option to switch on or off, will reduce the strain on your eyes after lots of screen time.
And if the latest rumours are to be believed, dark mode will also help you squeeze every minute out of your battery life.
You'll have the option to link it up to your phone's Battery Saver mode, reports WABetaInfo.
The site has an impressive track record for WhatsApp leaks, regularly digging into the app's code to uncover new features.
In Dark Mode, WhatsApp has a black background with white text on top.
The regular display version is the opposite of this with the white background creating a lot of light.
The highly anticipated feature is expected to improve user experience and reduce battery consumption.
The feature has previously been spotted in several beta versions of the iOS and Android apps.
It's important to note that the newly found Battery Saver option will only work if your phone has an OLED screen.
WhatsApp catfish-exposing 'reverse image search'
Catfishing could become a thing of the past as WhatsApp is reportedly creating a reverse image searching ability for the app.
The new 'Search by Image' feature is not available yet as it is still being tested but people who sign up to be a WhatsApp beta tester may eventually get access to it.
The feature will allow users to click on images they are sent over WhatsApp and search them in Google to verify their source.
This could help to reduce the spread of fake news as well as making it harder for people to catfish others by using images that are not of them.
WhatsApp beta for Android 2.19.73 is said to be the version of the messaging tool being tested for its ability to carry out reverse Google image searches directly from the app.
The app uses Google Custom Search to give it search engine capabilities.
WhatsAll self-destructing messages
WhatsApp has also built a feature that seedy cheating lovers are sure to enjoy – self-destructing messages.
The site trawls the code of early versions of WhatsApp to find upcoming features ahead of time.
While it's not currently available to everyone, WhatsApp is testing the feature on a small group of users. It will likely roll it out to everyone at a later date.
The new tool was called "Disappearing messages" when it first emerged, according to WABetaInfo.
WhatsApp – a quick history
Here's what you need to know...
- WhatsApp was created in 2009 by computer programmers Brian Acton and Jan Koum - former employees of Yahoo
- It's one of the most popular messaging services in the world
- Koum came up with the name WhatsApp because it sounded like "what's up"
- After a number of tweaks the app was released with a messaging component in June 2009, with 250,000 active users
- It was originally free but switched to a paid service to avoid growing too fast. Then in 2016, it became free again for all users
- Facebook bought WhatsApp Inc in February 2014 for $19.3billion (£14.64bn)
- The app is particularly popular because all messages are encrypted during transit, shutting out snoopers
- As of January 2018, WhatsApp has over 1.5billion users globally
But as of the latest 2.19.348 update, it's been rebranded to 'Delete Messages'.
You’ll be able to choose whether posts vanish in one hour, one day, one week, one month or one year.
"As the name suggests, any message eligible to be 'disappeared', will be automatically deleted from the chat," WABetaInfo said.
The feature will work in both group chats and one-on-one conversations.
You'll reportedly be able to switch it on or off or change the time limit before a deletion in your settings.
As with any leak or rumour, we can't say for sure when – if ever – the tool will be released to everyone.
WhatsApp may still decide to bin it last minute, so don't hold your breath until we hear something concrete from the firm.
In other news, you can sign up to the beta version of WhatsApp to get all of the latest features before the general public.
Find out how to read deleted WhatsApp messages on your phone.
Another secret trick lets you change your WhatsApp font to confuse your mates.
And if that's not enough, here are 16 fun WhatsApp tips that will change the way you use the app forever.
What new features would you like to see added to WhatsApp? Let us know in the comments!
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