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Advertising image for the new WhatsApp functions: Those who like to post their status now have more options
Photo: Screenshot / Whats app
With the help of so-called status messages, WhatsApp users can inform others about what they are doing – without actively writing to their contacts.
If you want, you can look at such a status message, if you don't, you don't have to.
After 24 hours the messages are gone again.
WhatsApp has now announced a revision of the status function: As the messenger blog states, users can now decide individually for each status update who gets to see the latest post.
You can specifically exclude individual contacts or specify that only selected people can access the current status posting.
For example, it should be easier to separate the private from the professional.
The ability to decide who gets to see status updates and who doesn't has existed on WhatsApp before.
What is new is that this selection is no longer only possible at app level, but for each individual contribution.
According to WhatsApp, the last selection is saved and is then the default for the next post.
Voice messages become part of the status
Another innovation is that in addition to texts, photos, videos and GIFs, voice messages can also be shared via the status function.
However, their length is limited to 30 seconds.
Another addition to the sub-features is that WhatsApp now creates visual previews of links you post to your status.
"With visual previews, your status updates look better," the service writes, "and your contacts can visualize the link more before clicking it."
Although many users noticed another function long before the current presentation, WhatsApp also announces so-called status profile rings: green circles around the profile pictures of some users are meant.
They also signal beyond the status tab in the app menu that those people have posted a status message online.
According to WhatsApp, all the functions described here are to be rolled out worldwide and “be available to everyone in the coming weeks”.
mbo