WhatsApp reveals another new feature that makes it almost impossible to hide from unwanted chats
WHATSAPP has begun testing a new feature for group chats where users will be able to see how many of the group are online.
It is the silent observer's worst nightmare, and makes it nearly impossible to hide from unwanted conversations.
Although, it does indicate when might be a good time to start up a conversation.
The online counter, first spotted by WABetaInfo, appears at the top of group chats to show how many participants have WhatsApp open on their devices.
It replaces the icon that showed users who was typing or recording a message.
The feature is currently available in a beta version of the messenger - so it has not rolled out to everyone worldwide just yet.
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It is expected to be introduced more widely in the coming weeks.
Fortunately, there will be a way to evade it.
The head count excludes users who have disabled their online status visibility - which can be done in the app's settings.
This way, your contacts can't see if you're online or not.
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WhatsApp has made a number of small changes to the app in recent weeks, but two have managed to spark fury among users.
The messenger replaced the "typing..." message at the top of chats with a new ellipsis chat bubble - like the one used on Apple's iMessage.
Days later, a similar change was made to voice notes, replacing the message at the top of the screen indicating someone was recording.
The app has replaced the message with a microphone icon at the bottom of the chat.
Earlier this year, WhatsApp simply capitalised "Online" and "Typing..." which was met with internet uproar.
Although WhatsApp quickly u-turned, saying it was only "a small test".
It's a human psyche thing, not an app's problem
By Millie Turner, Technology & Science Reporter
Every few years or so, apps go under the knife for a facelift, often changing colour theme shades, fonts, and layouts.
Then an executive comes out with a statement about how 'contemporary' the change is, and how it was 'designed with users in mind'.
But apps, and the folks behind them, need to wise up to one simple fact: people don't like change.
And there will almost always be backlash to the unveiling of a shiny new design - no matter how small the change seems.
We all know how it feels: opening up an app you use everyday, awash with that disgusted, frustrated feeling as your muscle memory is tripping you up over a new layout.
Whether its an "ugly" new WhatsApp update, a Facebook redesign that simply looks "gross" or a Twitter (now X) switch-up that literally gives its users headaches - people like what they know.
Human psychology plays a big role in this.
But it's obviously unreasonable to expect apps to fade into relics of their past.
So what's the remedy?
Time - time for consumers to have a little kick and a scream before settling into the new norm.