With a new feature in the works, WhatsApp users may soon have more options for finding local merchants and other establishments. As reported by the platform that keeps track of impending WhatsApp features, WABetaInfo, the messaging network might gain an entirely new section called Businesses Nearby. In keeping with the moniker, customers will be able to view restaurants, businesses, grocery stores, and more. That being said, it isn’t yet obvious whether or not WhatsApp users would have direct access to a company’s contact data and other information.
However, it’s expected to be available for iPhones as well after being spotted in the Android beta version of WhatsApp. The feature is presently in development, but there is no set timeline for its release.
It’s now easier than ever to respond to messages on WhatsApp Business accounts. Currently available to beta testers on both iOS and Android, WhatsApp has introduced a new action button to the conversation share menu.
With the ‘+’ symbol for iPhones and an attachment symbol for Android devices, the new feature is shown among camera, picture and video library, catalog, and other options. WhatsApp Business beta users will be able to respond to messages more rapidly with this feature.
If you have a WhatsApp Business account, you already have access to the Quick Reply function. To use it, simply hit the ‘/’ key on your keyboard. You can then choose a message to deliver to a client from a list that is provided to them.
To keep its users safe, WhatsApp has added a new security feature that “prevents unknown contacts from seeing your last seen and online status if you’ve never interacted with them.” It’s no longer possible to verify the last seen and online status of WhatsApp contacts with specific apps available on the App Store or Google Play Store, thanks to the new functionality.
To see if a person is online or not, a user must be in an ongoing chat with the individual or have previously communicated with the person. No one will be allowed to see when you were last spotted on WhatsApp or your current online status.
