WhatsApp is rolling out two new features to iOS beta testers that add new capabilities to the popular messaging platform. The first feature makes it much easier to zoom when using the app's camera on WhatsApp, while the second feature allows users to quickly create new stickers from their camera roll or use Meta AI to generate stickers using new shortcuts These two features are expected to reach all iOS and Android smartphone users.
WABetaInfo feature tracker spotted a new zoom control feature in WhatsApp beta for iOS 24.9.10.75. Users who signed up for beta versions of WhatsApp for iOS via TestFlight can now upgrade to the latest version to get access to a new camera zoom control button that will let them switch between different zoom options when click pictures or record videos on WhatsApp.
New zoom controls (left) and WhatsApp sticker shortcuts
Photo credit: WABetaInfo
WhatsApp currently allows users to pinch in and out of the viewfinder while using the app's camera or swipe up while holding down the capture button. Both options are not as simple or intuitive as using a dedicated zoom button, which will hopefully be rolled out to all users in the future.
Earlier this week, the Meta-owned messaging service rolled out another feature to beta testers with the WhatsApp for iOS beta update 24.9.10.74, according to details shared by WABetaInfo. Users who have installed this version will see it To create i Use AI shortcuts when the sticker selection panel is open in WhatsApp.
The first shortcut will allow users to use an image from their cart to generate a new WhatsApp sticker using the in-app sticker editor. Gadgets 360 was able to confirm that this option is also available for some users in the stable version of WhatsApp. The Use AI shortcut, on the other hand, allows users to generate stickers with Meta AI, the company's artificial intelligence (AI) service.
Other features recently spotted in WhatsApp beta testing include a new “Recently Online” list which, as the name suggests, lists contacts that were previously active on the app. Meanwhile, the service recently updated its color palette on iOS, showing green buttons and text throughout the app. Finally, it could add support for alternative color accents to the app, which were first spotted in development back in January.
