WhatsApp introduces exciting new features: here's what you need to know
The move is a sensitive one for WhatsApp, whose chief firmly denied a report in 2023 that said the Meta-owned app was exploring advertisements as it sought to boost revenue.
In recent months, WhatsApp has been busy enhancing its platform with a slew of new features and updates designed to enrich user experiences across its various functionalities. From chats to calls and updates, users are invited to explore these innovative tools that aim to transform the way they communicate with friends and family.
Chats: Enhanced interactivity and creativity
WhatsApp has made chatting more interactive with the introduction of animated emojis that move when shared. No longer are users confined to static expressions—each emoji now offers a touch of motion that makes conversations more lively. Additionally, the new animated sticker maker allows users to convert their favourite videos into moving stickers, adding an extra layer of creativity to conversations.
Further simplifying communication, WhatsApp has streamlined group creation. Users can now initiate a group by merely setting a name, without immediately needing to add participants. This allows for the gathering of thoughts and coordination to begin before expanding the group. Once ready, individuals can invite others with a simple link.
Moreover, the platform now supports the ability to caption, react, and reply to multiple media items simultaneously. Participants can respond to a collective batch of photos and videos, making interactions more efficient and engaging.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
7 hours ago
- The South African
Skytrax crowns the Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa
Skytrax has crowned the best of the best airlines in various categories in their annual World Airline Awards, held on 17 June 2025. Amongst these categories was Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa, and one South African budget airline has walked off with the title. Beating out both LIFT Airline, which was awarded the same title last year, and Fastjet in the top three, FlySafair was named Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa for 2025. Known as 'the Oscars of the aviation industry', the World Airline Awards began in 1999, and are completely determined through a customer satisfaction survey conducted by Skytrax. Skytrax once again crowned Qatar Airways as the World's Best Airline, for a record-breaking ninth time. Qatar Airways was also given the titles of World's Best Business Class and Best Airline in the Middle East. The top ten best airlines according to Skytrax were: Qatar Airways Singapore Airlines Cathay Pacific Airways Emirates ANA All Nippon Airways Turkish Airlines Korean Air Air France Japan Airlines Hainan Airlines Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
10 hours ago
- The South African
Donald Trump leaves G7 summit over Middle East tensions
US President Donald Trump departed a day early from the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada on 16 June 2025. The White House cited the Israel-Iran conflict as the reason. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed this, stating that 'what's going on in the Middle East' prompted the action. Trump called a Situation Room meeting with National Security Council personnel in Washington. Before his departure, Trump urged Iranians on Truth Social to 'immediately evacuate Tehran' due to rising tensions. 'Iran should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!' – President Donald J. Trump Trump also labelled French President Macron's assertion that his departure was related to a ceasefire as 'Wrong!' on Truth Social. President Donald Trump initially objected to the G7's de-escalation statement, which led to changes before he signed. The final statement called for the de-escalation of Gaza, referred to Iran as a 'principal source of regional instability', and affirmed Israel's right to self-defence. Following Trump's exit, the remaining six leaders continued to advance global trade, energy security, and Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on G7 leaders to support more sanctions against Russia to increase pressure. She emphasised that 'sanctions are critical' to bringing Russia to the negotiating table, securing a genuine ceasefire, and ending the war. In order to sustain concerted international pressure, von der Leyen also urged the G7 allies to support the EU's proposed 18th sanctions package. At the summit, President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a trade deal that lowered tariffs on UK cars and planes. EU leaders, like von der Leyen and António Costa, called for an end to protectionist policies and an opening up of trade. Trump reaffirmed his belief that Russia's exclusion from the G8 in 2014 was a 'mistake' at the G7 summit in Kananaskis on 16 June 2025. He asserted that Russia's presence might have prevented the conflict in Ukraine. G7 allies reaffirmed Russia's annexation of Crimea as the legitimate reason for its removal. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
Transnet averts potential strike after reaching three-year wage agreement with workers unions
Transnet and its majority union United National Transport Union (UNTU) sign a wage agreement after a lengthy process with the intervention of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). Image: Leon Lestrade/ Independent Newspapers Transnet has signed a three-year wage agreement with its majorityunion, the United National Transport Union (UNTU), following a protracted negotiation process that required intervention from the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). In a statement on Thursday, Transnet said that the wage agreement would see an increment of 6% for the 2025/2026, 2026/2027, and 2027/2028 financial years. Transnet stated that this above-inflation agreement corresponds to an overall wage increase of 18% across the three years, encompassing increases to basic salaries and additional components, such as the 13th cheque, pension fund contributions, medical aid subsidies, and housing allowances. 'The finalisation of the three-year wage agreement provides labour stability and will enable the company to focus on its immediate strategic priorities of improving operational and financial performance, while positioning the organisation for future growth, thereby ensuring job security and economic growth,' Transnet said. UNTU general secretary, Cobus van Vuuren, hailed the signing as a pivotal moment following a challenging negotiation period. 'The agreement was signed between the parties on Thursday evening, 12 June 2025, following engagements between UNTU and Transnet this week,' he said. 'UNTU is confident that this agreement is fully aligned with the overwhelming mandate received from our constituencies, which have mandated us to sign the CCMA's facilitator's proposal following the S150 process by two senior Commissioners.' UNTU represents more than 26 000 workers at Transnet and had threatened to issue the State-owned freight and logistics firm with a 48-hour notice for a strike if negotiations deadlocked. Van Vuuren emphasised that this agreement not only represented a notable salary increment but also reinforced job security—one of UNTU's primary demands throughout the negotiation process. 'As UNTU committed, we also secured the back payment for the increased retrospective from 01 April 2025, as our members have made great financial sacrifices during this period, as UNTU continued the fight for a better salary increase and, most importantly, job security. UNTU is the majority union in Transnet; therefore, this agreement will be applicable to all bargaining unit employees,' he said. 'The three-year agreement also ensures much-needed labour stability during a critical period as Transnet works to rebuild its operations, restore service reliability, and regain stakeholder confidence. 'As the majority union representing the voices of more than 26 000 employees at Transnet, UNTU confirms that this newly signed agreement supersedes the previous agreement signed between Transnet and the minority union, Satawu.' Transnet also signed the same wage agreement with its other recognised labour union, the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (Satawu). Satawu general secretary, Jack Mazibuko, said the union had proposed an alternative wording for the retrenchment clause committing Transnet to no mandatory retrenchments during the currency of the wage agreement. 'Äccordingly, the new retrenchment clause as contained in the employer's final wage offer reads as follows: 1. Transnet commits that there will be no mandatory retrenchments during the currency of the wage agreement. 2. However, should it be necessary to restructure any areas of its business due to operations. economic and/or organisation restructuring reasons, the following process shall be followed: a) The employer will comply with the provisions of its existing recognition agreement and prevailing legislation b) The employer will establish a multi-disciplinary committee, inclusing labour, to assess the people impact of all restructuting initiatives across the business with the objective to preserve job security for all employees. c) The committee will explore opportunities for retirement, redeployment, reskilling and restructing will be explored as alternatives to ensure that there will be no mandatory retrenchments.' BUSINESS REPORT Transnet and its majority union United National Transport Union (UNTU) sign a wage agreement after a lengthy process with the intervention of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). Image: Leon Lestrade/ Independent Newspapers
