WhatsApp may allow users to reply to messages by double-tapping them
WhatsApp for Android may be testing a new gesture feature that will allow users to reply to messages more quickly, according to claims from a feature tracker. The feature is speculated to allow for quick replies to messages by simply double-tapping them, which could summon a standard emoji. It builds on the introduction of a previously reported in-development feature that could allow users to quickly reply to received media, such as photos and videos, from the media viewer screen itself.
Comments on WhatsApp messages
According to According to WhatsApp beta tracker WABetaInfo, the quick message reply feature was spotted in WhatsApp for Android beta app version 2.24.16.7. After the rollout, users may be able to quickly reply to messages by double-tapping on them. The feature tracker suggests that a default ‘heart emoji’ will appear when replying to messages, similar to the functionality in other Meta Platforms’ apps including Instagram and Facebook.
Quick Message Replies on WhatsApp
Photo credit: WABetaInfo
There is speculation that the process of replying to messages will be faster. Instead of having to tap and hold on a message to select the ‘heart’ emoji, users can simply double-tap to achieve the same goal.
The feature tracker claims that the option to reply to messages with a double tap is only available to beta testers as it is still in development. So those using the latest version of WhatsApp for Android beta through the Google Play beta program may only be able to access it.
Gadgets 360 employees were unable to verify the availability of the Android beta app on WhatsApp.
Other possibilities
Apart from quick responses to messages, WhatsApp is also said to be developing several other features including live transcription of voice messages and real-time translation of messages. Moreover, the instant messaging platform’s artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, called Meta AI, is also getting more functionalities such as extended language support, Imagine Edit and Imagine Me.
It also introduces the ability to try out the Llama 3.1 405B, the company’s latest AI model. Meta says this AI model is better equipped to handle complex queries and advanced mathematical problem solving.
