Facebook and WhatsApp logos are displayed on portable electronic devices on Feb. 19, 2014 in San Francisco City. (Photo : Getty Images/ Justin Sullivan)
WhatsApp developers continues to improve its messaging platform as it works closely with Facebook for features such as video calling, GIF support, and easy forwarding options. Now, it expands on more functions in its group conversation after a tipster dug into the app's Beta version.
A WhatsApp leakster specialist with Twitter handle WABetaInfo revealed in a post the new added features on the latest beta builds of iOS (version 2.17.3.28) and Android (version 2.16.399). One of the highlights that will allow users in a group chat to be able to broadcast their live location will be called "Live Locations," which is currently disabled by default.
This latest feature will allow WhatsApp users to track their friends' location in real-time. Based on the leaked screenshots by WABetaInfo, the said app show a 'Sharing' option alongside the 'Show My Friends' option.
According to Phone Arena, the live locations enabled on the WhatsApp should be an advantage on rendezvous or meetings, especially users can configure their tracking options for one minute, two minutes, more minutes or indefinitely. There will also be an option to disable the live streaming option if users do not want their friends to locate them.
The time limit for the location will be notified by three dots located next to 'Show my Friends' option. Tapping on the 'Show my friends' will open a Google map where members of the group who have activated the feature will be designated, revealing their locations.
As of now, the option has to be enabled using a configuration file and users are recommended to install the new feature at their own discretion. Since the "Live Location Tracking" is disabled by default, WhatsApp users must activate this feature when it is ready to be launched.
Besides the live location feature, future updates on the beta version reveal the "Recall" option where users can revoke and edit sent messages on the Android version, Neurogadget learned. The "Recall" option will only work if the recipient has not read the message, until that users can long press on the message to edit it before resending again.
In the iOS beta app 2.17.3.28, options on saving photos in a new album in the camera roll will be included. Also, a new 'Contact Us' menu, and new UI for the 'Storage Usage' section is added in the beta app.
