WhatsApp launches new feature

On June 7, US technology company Meta began testing a new feature called Channels on the WhatsApp application with the goal of attracting more users.

WhatsApp application icon on phone screen. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Meta says that in terms of appearance, messages from the new Channels feature will appear in a new toolbar called Updates. This is different from Meta's new update feature on Instagram, where notifications are communicated via direct messages.

Meta's target audience for this feature is organizations such as non-governmental organizations, medical research organizations, and fact-checking agencies that verify the accuracy of information.

Meta says the new feature will allow admins to send text, photos, videos , stickers, and polls. Notably, these are one-way conversations, so users won't be able to reply to those messages.

While users can join channels through invite links, WhatsApp is also building a directory to find different channels by interests, sports teams, and local officials.

Meta is now launching Channels in select markets like Colombia and Singapore, with early adopters including the Singapore Heart Foundation and fact-checking organization Colombia Check. The company says it has also joined a number of high-profile international partners, including the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and high-profile soccer clubs like FC Barcelona and Manchester City.

In the coming months, Meta plans to expand the availability of this feature to more countries, with the ultimate goal of giving any user the ability to set up their own Channels.

Channels is WhatsApp's new attempt at facilitating large group chats after Communities now has over 2 billion users.

Source link: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/28/145142/whatsapp-cho-ra-mat-tinh-nang-moi