WhatsApp New Features: Photo Polls & Chat Events Coming Soon

WhatsApp is always changing to become more interactive and engaging. After delivering exciting additions such as stickers and calling effects in December 2024, the messaging giant is now preparing to release two more updates: photo polls and chat events. While some features remain in beta, here’s what we know thus far.

Photo Polls

According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is developing a new way to create polls. Users will soon be able to upload photographs to poll options, making decision-making more visual and enjoyable.

• How It Works: Channel owners can include a photo with each poll option, giving voters a vivid picture (literally) of their options.
  Uniformity in Polls: If one option includes a photo, the other alternatives must do the same to ensure consistency.
• Who gets it first: Initially, this feature will be limited to channel owners. WhatsApp does, however, intend to expand it to include group chats and personal conversations in the future.

This graphic improvement will make polls more interesting, whether you’re choosing a present, a destination, or simply what to eat for supper!

Chat Events

Another intriguing feature in development is the ability to create events within individual chats. This program promises to make planning easier by storing all details in one location.

• Event Details: Users can provide the event’s name, date, and optional description. Setting an end date, adding a location, and linking an audio/video connection are all additional options for virtual meetings.
• Recipient Interaction: Once the event is created, it smoothly invites the recipient to accept or decline.
• Consistency Across conversations: This feature mimics how events function in group conversations to ensure familiarity and ease of usage.

Availability & Update

Both of these features are now accessible to beta testers and are scheduled to be released to all users in the next weeks. Additionally, WhatsApp is testing a reverse picture search capability on its Web beta edition. This technology is likely to make picture searches more efficient for consumers.