WhatsApp has announced a bunch of new features just in time for the holidays, including missed call messages, emoji reactions during voice chats, improved AI image generation in the thread and more.
First, missed call messages. Now, if you call someone on WhatsApp and they don’t pick up, you can record a voice or video message (depending on the type of call) to let them know you tried to reach them.
WhatsApp claims that video messages will “replace voice messages as a thing of the past,” though I am not sure many people will be that excited to leave video clips for their friends.
But maybe. Sure.
You will now also be able to send emoji reactions during group voice chats in the app.
According to WhatsApp:
“Voice chats make it easy to switch between messaging and real-time talking without ringing everyone in the group. Now you can react during a voice chat, for example to quickly say hi, without interrupting the conversation.”
So, similar to group audio chats that became popular a few years ago (remember Clubhouse?), this adds a way to respond passively during a live audio discussion, so you can signal your reaction while someone else is talking.
In addition, WhatsApp will now highlight the active speaker during group video calls, making it easier to follow the conversation.
WhatsApp has also improved real-time AI image generation thanks to Meta’s new partnerships with Midjourney and Flux.
This is a logical continuation of Meta’s general direction – AI is no longer just for fun, it is being carefully embedded into content production and into how that content is later discovered and consumed. If you want to see a similar approach in another product, here is a good example: Instagram uses AI to create SEO-style post summaries.
WhatsApp says users “will notice significant improvements when creating annual holiday greetings to post in chats or Status” as a result of these new AI-powered updates.
Meta’s evolving AI tools will also be used in WhatsApp’s image animation tools, allowing you to bring your photos to life in the app.
“You can now turn any photo into a short video to add fun and festive flair to your chats or Status.”
You can animate your images using the Meta AI chat inside the app.
WhatsApp is also adding a new Media tab on desktop, as well as updating link previews to “simplify long URLs so they do not break the chat and keep the conversation flowing.”
WhatsApp Status (its Stories-like format) is getting new stickers, and Channels are getting Questions, giving channel admins another way to spark discussion.
Here it is important to understand why Meta is so persistent about polishing Status formats and quick reactions – the audience, especially teens, lives in short formats and constantly hops between apps. You can clearly see it in their consumption patterns: YouTube, TikTok and Instagram remain the most popular apps among teens.
So you have a whole range of new options to explore over the holidays that can help liven up your Christmas chats.
You can read more about the latest WhatsApp updates here.
