Tag: emoji

  • WhatsApp introduces animated avatars to spice up messaging

    WhatsApp introduces animated avatars to spice up messaging

    WhatsApp, the renowned messaging app, is stepping up its game with the introduction of a highly anticipated feature: animated avatars. The update, now available through the Google Play Beta programme, elevates the app’s version to 2.23.16.12 and promises to bring more life and personality to communication.

    According to reports from WABetaInfo, the animated avatars feature had been under development for some time and has finally been rolled out to beta users. To check whether the feature is enabled for their account, users need to open the keyboard and select the avatar tab. Once activated, beta users can enjoy various animations associated with specific avatars.

    Excitingly, animated avatars can be shared with anyone, regardless of whether the recipient is using the beta version or not. However, it’s worth noting that only a limited number of stickers currently support animation. Nonetheless, industry experts speculate that WhatsApp will expand this feature, offering an animated version of the entire avatar pack in the future.

    The addition of animated avatars is expected to elevate the overall communication experience on the platform. By infusing stickers with motion, users can now convey emotions, expressions, and reactions in a more engaging and dynamic way.

    As of now, the animated avatar feature is available to select beta testers who have installed the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS from the TestFlight app. In the coming days, WhatsApp plans to roll out the feature to a broader user base, enhancing the overall messaging experience for millions of users worldwide.

    Moreover, WhatsApp enthusiasts can look forward to even more exciting features on the horizon. The messaging giant is also working on a Video Messaging feature akin to Voice Messaging, which is bound to add another layer of convenience and richness to communication. Additionally, a time-saving group creation feature is in the works, making it easier for users to organise and manage their group chats.

    Furthermore, WhatsApp is also embracing Material Design 3 enhancements, offering users a modern and visually pleasing interface that aligns with Google’s design language.

    As technology continues to evolve, WhatsApp’s commitment to innovation and improving user experiences sets the stage for a more engaging and dynamic messaging platform, delighting users worldwide.

  • WhatsApp introduces undo button to restore accidentally deleted messages

    WhatsApp introduces undo button to restore accidentally deleted messages

    WhatsApp offers a tonne of features and has been around for more than a decade, making it one of the greatest messaging programmes accessible. However, there’s always space for improvement, and it appears that the platform is now introducing a new tool that will let users”undo” a “Delete for me” message.

    Head of WhatsApp Will Cathcart tweeted about the new feature, saying that there is now a new option in WhatsApp that will undo a “Delete for me” message, bringing back the message and allowing users to either leave it as is or continue to “Delete for everyone.” Given that there was no ability to edit or bring back the message before this update, this ought to be a pleasant improvement.

    WhatsApp has improved its app significantly over the past year by adding new features. The addition of voice messaging to the programme gave users a new means of communication in chat, making it one of the more significant additions. Emoji reactions in chat, sharing of larger files, and support for 32-person voice call groups were also added by the company.

    The ability for Android users to move their WhatsApp data to an iOS device, which was perhaps one of the most requested features, was also introduced in 2022. Of course, these are only a few of the features that have been added over the past year, but there is no doubt that things have changed significantly and will do so in the future.

  • Facebook introduces ‘care’ emoji to express support amid COVID-19 crisis

    Facebook introduces ‘care’ emoji to express support amid COVID-19 crisis

    Facebook has launched a new ‘care emoji’ for its 2.6 billion users to express empathy during coronavirus crisis.

    The new ‘care emoji’ is intended to show care and solidarity when commenting on a status update, message, photo or video during the pandemic. The emoji is a smiley face, hugging a heart for the basic Facebook service, while in Messenger app it appears as a pulsating, purplish heart.

    “Even apart, we are in this together,” read Facebook’s official message.

    To insert a reaction, users hold down the Like button on mobile apps or hover over the Like button on the desktop version of the site to see the reaction-emoji options.

    Facebook is also working to connect people to provide accurate information from health experts and keeping misinformation away about the COVID-19 from spreading on their related apps.

    “We’ve now directed over 2 billion people to resources from the WHO and other health authorities through our COVID-19 Information Center and pop-ups on Facebook and Instagram with over 350 million people clicking through to learn more,” read the company’s website.

    Facebook is also planning to share some additional steps to fight COVID-19 related misinformation and make sure people have the correct and credible information they need to stay safe.

  • Do you know about the new pinch emoji?

    Do you know about the new pinch emoji?

    Sending emojis to convey a complete message without using a single word has emerged as a new trend in recent, millennial times. 

    Emoji 13.0 is the set of 117 new emojis that have been approved for release in 2020. Among them is the ‘pinch emoji’ gesture, designed to represent the Italian hand gesture ma che vuoi (or ‘finger purse’).

    The “What do you want?” pinched fingers emoji proposal was submitted by Y Adriano Farano, Jennifer 8. Lee and Theo Schear of Emojination to Unicode. The proposal explains the significance of this emoji. It is part of the Italian gestural expression which is now widespread in Mediterranean countries and according to research published by the New York Times, Italians use this gesture roughly 250 times a day.

    https://twitter.com/Giulio_Consult/status/1223014981668499457?s=20

    Not just Italians but many other cultures use the same pinched finger gesture to make a point, for example, one blogger mentions that this is an expression used for “just about everything”, and in Israel, it means “Wait a minute,” or “Hurry up” or “Relax.”

    The gesture is used by pinching your fingers against the thumb and moving your hand back and forth against your chest which translates to “What do you want?”

    Even Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi of Italy, in 2015 was seen flaunting this gesture to give an impactful speech in the Italian Parliament. Hence it is not just an emoji but represents the Italian culture and celebrates their tradition.

    The proposal was accepted and we will soon be seeing this emoji in 2020.