WhatsApp to add local business directories to help users to find local stores and services
WhatsApp has grown to become more of a simple messaging app in recent years. It has 2.5 billion global active users, is a basic multi-user messaging app, and even a partial payment app in some areas.
In some places, it is the best and easiest way to contact a business. Now, the company is exploring the addition of WhatsApp local business directories to help customers find local stores, cafes, and more.
WhatsApp Local Business Directories
Recently, a survey currently resides in São Paulo, Brazil, where millions of small businesses live. In an interview with Reuters, Matt Idema, Facebook’s vice-president of business messaging, said India and Indonesia may be good candidates for expanding the feature.
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Idema told Reuters that in the past business people were highlighting their WhatsApp numbers in packages or websites or using Facebook ads to bring users to WhatsApp conversations.
WhatsApp also said it would not keep track of people’s locations or their search results. Given that the company was recently discriminated against by the Irish Data Protection Commission and fined €225 million, it is likely that it wishes to play as securely as possible with user details at the moment.
We’re kicking this off in São Paulo which is home to millions of small businesses. For those who aren't in São Paulo to try it out, here's what it looks like: pic.twitter.com/cMu9DwlUYw
— Will Cathcart (@wcathcart) September 15, 2021
In that interview, Idema said WhatsApp still intends to add ads to the app. “There is definitely a trend in advertising, which is the main way of business on Facebook, that in the long run I think that in some way or another it will be part of the business that runs WhatsApp,” he said.
WhatsApp says about a million advertisers currently use Facebook and Instagram ads ‘click on WhatsApp’ to send users to the messaging app. WhatsApp has shopping tools such as product catalogs and shopping carts that consumers use to buy businesses on WhatsApp.
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WhatsApp has released a new update for Android users through the Google Play Beta Program with version 2.25.10.14. The update introduces a new feature to improve privacy in chats.
The latest beta update reveals that WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will give users more control over how their chats are shared. This feature will stop photos and videos sent in chats from being automatically saved to your phone’s gallery.
Right now, this feature is only available for disappearing messages, but soon it will apply to all chats. This means you can keep your gallery clean and protect your privacy.
In addition, WhatsApp will block the export of chat histories when the privacy setting is enabled. If someone has this setting turned on, their chat history won’t be able to be shared or exported outside of WhatsApp.
This feature protects sensitive conversations and gives users more control over their data. However, users can still forward messages, so it doesn’t stop that. Notably, it will be optional, so users can choose to enable or disable it in individual chats, and you’ll receive a notification if the setting is changed.
This new privacy feature is currently under development and will be available in a future WhatsApp update. Stay tuned for more information.
WhatsApp has released a new update for Android users, which introduces a helpful new feature that allows users to message people directly from their status updates. The new beta update arrives with version 2.25.9.6 through the Google Play Beta Program.
Before this update, if you wanted to message someone who had viewed your status, you had to leave the status screen, search for the contact in your chat list, and open the chat. This process could take time.
The fresh beta update solves this by adding a shortcut in the viewer’s list, which lets you quickly open the chat with that person. With just a tap, you can directly go to the chat window and start messaging.
With this new feature, WhatsApp is making it even easier to interact with contacts and follow up on status updates. Currently, the send message from status feature is under testing, and only beta users can enjoy it.
However, it will be rolled out to more users in the upcoming weeks. Once it becomes available, users will be able to message contacts directly from their status update screen, which makes conversations faster and more convenient.
WhatsApp has released a new beta update for Android, which brings the ability to share motion photos. This feature has been spotted in the latest beta version 2.2.25.12 and will be available in a future update.
Motion photos are different types of images that capture a few seconds of movement and sound before and after the picture is taken. They’re different from regular photos because they combine a short video clip with the photo, which makes the moment feel more lively and real.
Several devices, including Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and iPhones, feature motion photos. It has different names on different smartphones, like Motion Photo, Top Shot, or Live Photos.
In the new WhatsApp update, users will be able to share these motion photos in individual chats, group chats, and channels. This gives users more flexibility and options for sharing photos.
When you select a photo to send, there will be a new button that lets you choose whether to send the still photo or the motion photo. The feature will work in both individual and group chats and even channels.
The motion photo feature is still in development, but it will be available in a future WhatsApp update. Stay tuned for more information as this feature becomes available soon.
After Snapdragon models, Samsung has now started releasing the One UI 6.1-based March 2025 security update for Exynos variants of the Galaxy S21 FE. This update is rolling out in some Asian countries, and the company will soon expand to more regions.
March 2025 security patch makes the device more stable and secure. The company is dispatching the latest software update with system security improvements to keep your files and data safe on your phone. Also, it optimizes system stability to offer you uninterrupted and seamless functionality on your device.
Users of the Exynos Galaxy S21 FE models are getting the March 2025 security update via One UI build version G990EXXSCFYC1. The installation package size of this update is around 350 MB.
March 2025 security patch fixes over 58 vulnerabilities, including 11 critical and 40 high-level issues from Google. Samsung has provided 7 SVE patches covering the Auracast, sensitive communication settings, the Galaxy Watch Gallery, Wi-Fi services, and more.
To check the update, you just need to navigate to the device’s Settings, then a Software update, and Download and install. If you have received the update, install it now for enhanced features. It makes your device ready for the next update.
Aside from this, Samsung has already spotted One UI 7 internal testing build for the Galaxy S21 FE smartphone, which indicates that the company is preparing this major update for this phone.
Earlier, the Galaxy S21 FE smartphone also appeared on Geekbench with Android 15 and One UI 7. The phone scored 1164 points in single-core and 3362 points in multi-core performance.
WhatsApp has rolled out a new feature in its latest Android beta update with version 2.25.7.9 through the Google Play Beta Program. This update allows users to add social media profile links to their WhatsApp account to make it easier to share your online profiles with others.
The update brings the ability to add links to your social media profiles, starting with Instagram. Once you add your Instagram link, it will show up at the top of the chat info page.
This new feature makes it easy for your contacts to visit your Instagram profile with just one tap. Right now, Instagram is the only supported platform, but WhatsApp plans to add more platforms in future updates.
In addition to adding social media links, WhatsApp has also included privacy settings. These settings let you decide who can see your social media links. You can choose to share them with everyone, only your contacts, certain contacts, or keep them completely private.
This feature is being rolled out to some beta testers through the Google Play Beta Program. More WhatsApp users will have access to this feature as it becomes more widely available.
Aside from this, WhatsApp is also testing another feature that will let users save photos and videos from their own status updates. This status-saving feature will be available in future updates.
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