New WhatsApp update: 'Search Image' option, transgender emoji flag to be added to app
WhatsApp is set to roll out a new update and bring more features for its users. The instant messaging platform is reportedly working on 'Search Image' option which would allow users to search images that they received or send to their contacts.
WhatsApp is set to roll out a new update and bring more features for its users. The instant messaging platform is reportedly working on 'Search Image' option which would allow users to search images that they received or send to their contacts. The new feature would use Google and search images directly from WhatsApp chat. The feature was confirmed by WhatsApp tracker - WABetaInfo. It also shared a screenshot showing how the feature may work. The screenshot details that the new feature could be accessible once a user selects the image from a chat.
It appears that the feature would first upload the image on Google and then search it for results. WABetaInfo mentions that the new feature isn't yet available yet for all the users but should be rolled out soon. WhatsApp is likely to use Google APIs to enable the image search functionality through the new feature.
WhatsApp for iOS 2.19.31 is available now on the AppStore.
It's a bug fixes update.— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) March 14, 2019
The feature is also part of WhatsApp's plans to curb the spread of fake news on its platform. The platform has been facing a lot of criticism for its failure to stop misinformation. The new feature would allow users to search and check if the images they received contain any false information or not.
Earlier, an Advanced Search option was also spotted in testing on iOS beta version of the app. The feature allows users to search media categories like photos, GIFs, links, documents, audio, and video.
WhatsApp beta for Android 2.19.73: what's new?
Transgender flag emoji available, spotted a Search image (under development and not available yet) feature, useful to understand if an image is real!https://t.co/QXffuWg0YO
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) March 13, 2019
Apart from this, WhatsApp is also bringing a transgender flag with its next update for Android - 2.19.73. The new emoji would appear under the flag emoji section, next to LGBT and United Nations (UN) flags. It is unclear when exactly these features will reach the stable version of WhatsApp that is used by majority of the consumers.
The users can download WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.19.73 from Google Play Store. They can also download the APK file of the app and update to the latest version.
01:08 PM IST