Whatsapp

TechWhatsApp: Meta-owned platform to release a new broadcast section called Channels - how can you use it?WhatsApp has just announced a new feature that acts similar to a Twitter feedMeta-owned platform WhatsApp has been rolling out a flurry of constant updates, which has seen users edit messages and start group video calls on the app. New features have even included the ability to create usernames such as those on fellow Meta app, Instagram, which will allow users to maintain their personal information. Now, a new feature has been released for a new way of communicating in WhatsApp. The new update sees the formation of ‘Channels’, which will be useful for broadcast messaging. So what is this new update, when will it roll out and how can you use it? This is what you need to know. WhatsApp has just announced a new feature that acts similar to a Twitter feedWhat is Channels? Channels will allow people to broadcast to their followers and allow them to receive important information from people and organisations within the app. This is more of a one-to-many feature, rather than a one-to-one chat, and is separate from the interpersonal communication that happens on WhatsApp. Channels is a way for admins to

Meta this week showcased its work on new generative AI technologies for its consumer products including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, as well as those being used internally at the company. At an all-hands meeting, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced several AI technologies in various stages of development, including AI chatbots for Messenger and WhatsApp, AI stickers, and other tools that would allow photo editing in Instagram Stories, in addition to internal-only products, like an AI productivity assistant and an experimental interface for interacting with AI agents, powered by Meta’s large language model LLaMA. Axios had first reported the news of the consumer-facing AI agents and photo editing tools, specifically. But the larger presentation touched on a number of areas where Meta is developing AI technologies and commentary about where it sees this space going. In addition, the company announced it’s planning to host an internal AI hackathon in July focused on generative AI which could result in new AI products that eventually make their way to Meta’s users. The news follows Zuckerberg’s statements during Meta’s Q1 earnings that it was exploring how to put new AI technologies to use in products that reach billions of users worldwide. During the call

Meta said WhatsApp's priority will continue to be private messaging, but that users have been asking for a feature like Channels for years. WhatsApp on Thursday began letting select organisations try a new feature called "Channels" that lets them broadcast to followers on the popular, Meta-owned messaging service.The debut comes as an array of agencies and organisations grow disenchanted with Elon Musk-owned Twitter in the face of fees, performance problems, and dramatically scaled-back content moderation.For more stories, visit the Tech and Trends homepage. WhatsApp on Thursday began letting select organisations try a new feature called "Channels" that lets them broadcast to followers on the popular, Meta-owned messaging service.The debut comes as an array of agencies and organisations grow disenchanted with Elon Musk-owned Twitter in the face of fees, performance problems, and dramatically scaled-back content moderation.Meta described Channels as "a simple, reliable, and private way to receive important updates from people and organisations, right within WhatsApp."A video shared by Meta showed the potential for Channels to keep people up to date on race results, soccer match outcomes, weather, and traffic, and even share cooking or home repair tips."We think the time is finally right to introduce a simple, reliable, and private broadcast

WhatsApp will add Channels from FC Barcelona and Manchester City soon (WhatsApp)WhatsApp is launching a new feature called Channels that lets you follow news feeds from businesses, charities, and football clubs.They’ll keep you in the loop with texts, photos, stickers, videos, and polls. You’ll be able to find Channels to follow based on your interests using a new search directory that WhatsApp is building.Similar to the Channels already available on Telegram and Instagram, the feature essentially allows hosts to broadcast messages to hordes of followers at once.Channels — which arrives today in Singapore and Colombia ahead of a global rollout — can be found inside a new section of WhatsApp, known as Updates. Here, you’ll also find WhatsApp’s version of Stories, known as Statuses, shared by your contacts.The redesign is likely aimed at keeping your main chat page as clutter-free as possible. After all, WhatsApp has big plans for Channels.While the feature is starting life with a couple of informative resource feeds in Singapore and Colombia, it will later add channels from FC Barcelona and Manchester City for footy fans.Eventually, WhatsApp says anyone will be able to make a Channel. While those in regions where its payments service is available

WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that allows users to send higher quality images. For more stories, visit the Tech and Trends homepage.WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that will allow users to send photos using a "high quality" option, WABetaInfo, a WhatsApp reporting blog, reports.The new function will make it easier to send images which preserve the original quality of the picture. Standard WhatsApp messages are compressed, which lowers the resolution of the image and ultimately decreases the quality. This is generally done to decrease the size of the file.While standard images sent on WhatsApp may work fine for most people for most purposes, there are times when higher image quality is desirable.There were already ways to do this when sending images on WhatsApp. There is an app setting, which allows users to choose the quality they desire for the photos they send. WhatsApp offers a "data saver" option, which is quicker to send and requires less storage space.READ MORE | WhatsApp rolling out screen sharing featureNow, WhatsApp is rolling out an option that will allow users to send any image, with higher quality, by selecting an option which is available every time they send an image.The higher quality option

Solicitors representing bereaved families in the Scottish and UK Covid inquiries have demanded clarity over the status of Nicola Sturgeon’s WhatsApp messages. Lawyers acting on behalf of the former SNP leader have claimed she did not have any relevant informal correspondence – such as private messages or emails – relating to the handling of the pandemic. Aamer Anwar, lead solicitor for the Scottish Covid Bereaved group, insisted it should be a matter for inquiry officials to determine what information is considered relevant. He has made further legal submissions to the UK Covid Inquiry calling for all unredacted WhatsApp messages and other relevant materials to be provided. Anwar insisted a request “should be made of Scottish ministers to provide to the inquiry any communications held by informal means in order that the primary relevance test can be carried out by this inquiry”. He said: “The Government is and should be answerable to the people, this applies to both the Scottish Government as well as the UK Government. “We were advised by the Scottish ministers’ counsel that Nicola Sturgeon has advised them she does not have such informal messages – i.e. WhatsApp messages. “Today we have sought full clarity from the UK

THE argument over transparency between the UK Covid-19 Inquiry and the UK Government has widened after the chairwoman heard that WhatsApp submissions from senior aides had been redacted. Hugo Keith KC said the Cabinet Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) had both submitted correspondence but had removed elements beforehand. The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) had made a “much fuller disclosure”, he said. READ MORE: Margaret Ferrier given 30-day Commons suspension as by-election looms It follows a decision by ministers to start High Court action over chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett’s request for Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages and notebooks to be handed over. Keith said witness statements had been requested from a wide range of political figures, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, along with former deputy prime minister Dominic Raab, former health secretary Matt Hancock and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove. Leaders of the devolved administrations have also been issued with requests, including former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon (pictured below). Speaking during a preliminary inquiry hearing on Tuesday, Keith told Lady Hallett: “We have received WhatsApp materials from Mr Johnson and two other individuals. “And all that material has

LONDONThe lead counsel for the UK coronavirus inquiry provided additional information Tuesday on communication between his team and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson regarding the release of requested information, according to media reports.Baroness Heather Hallett displayed determination at a hearing in the ongoing dispute with the government regarding Johnson's WhatsApp messages from the COVID-19 period.Hallett said the Cabinet Office had chosen to initiate legal action in an attempt to prevent unredacted messages and notebooks of the former prime minister from being handed to the inquiry, despite a missed deadline for submission.But Hugo Keith KC, the counsel for the inquiry, indicated that Hallet is likely to have the opportunity to examine a significant portion of the disputed material before a court hearing.Partygate was the name given to the scandal that saw dozens of parties held during the pandemic at the Prime Minister's Office and government departments.Johnson was ousted by his own party last July following a series of allegations.Hallett initiated the official launch of the UK COVID inquiry last July, marking the commencement of its first investigation.The inquiry is divided into different investigations which will examine different parts of the UK’s preparedness for and response to the pandemic and its effect.The

When you’re the globe’s biggest messaging service you need to stay fresh – and that means regularly updating and introducing new features. (PHOTO: Gallo Images / Alamy) It's the app everyone from your little brother to your mom and your granny uses. It’s so universal it’s even developed into a verb – “I WhatsApped you” – a progression that’s long been considered the mark of a successful brand. WhatsApp has more than five billion installs and boasts two billion active users worldwide, cementing itself as the most popular messaging application in the world. People who use the Meta-owned app can message, call, share files and video chat with anyone around the world for free, provided you have an internet connection. But when you’re the globe’s biggest messaging service you need to stay fresh – and that means regularly updating and introducing new features.  Get 14 days free to read all our investigative and in-depth journalism. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed. Next on You Meet the Grey Nomads: Retirees Hendrik and Glynis Hollenbach say it’s cheaper living on the road 7h ago

The chairwoman of the Covid inquiry would surely be left with no choice but to resign if the Government wins its legal fight over access to ministers’ WhatsApp messages, a lawyer for families bereaved in the pandemic has said. The Government has sought a judicial review in a bid to limit disclosure of material to the inquiry, saying “personal” information could end up being unnecessarily surrendered. A solicitor representing the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign group at the inquiry, which is due to have its first hearing next week, said the “only logical response” if chairwoman Baroness Hallett does not get access to the material, is for her to step down. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Topics