Besides rigorous testing to include features like multi-device support, WhatsApp is also working to make the UI intuitive and simple. The company is rolling out a new Beta version where it has merged the voice and video call button in business chats. This will accommodate the catalog shortcut beside it and make the UI simpler.
As spotted by WhatsAppBetaInfo, the feature appears on the new 2.20.201.4 beta version of Android. The company was spotted working on the feature early this month. That said, the new Call button will integrate both the voice and video call option inside it. To make a call, the user has to tap on the single call button to bring a pop-up sub-menu. It will have options to make a voice/video call. This way the space above the chat can be utilized well.
Catalog shortcut
Accordingly, the catalog shortcut now appears left of the call button inside a business chat. For starters, a catalog in a WhatsApp is a simplified version of a mobile storefront for businesses. Through this, people can browse products of their liking. Introduced last year, the feature helped many businesses from the hassle of sending info repeatedly. However, the new update adds a proper shortcut which makes it more accessible than ever.
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That said, the catalog shortcut will appear only if a business has listed at least a product in its catalog. Also, the new call button change is present only on the business chats as of now. However, there is a possibility that this could land in a regular version as well.
That’s not all, as the company is working on a number of features like Expiring media, doodles, Wallapaper customizations. It is also working on improving the web version by introducing fingerprint authentication.
Android users can either join the beta program/update the app on the Play Store to test it. That being said, the latest update is limited to Android users and there is no word on iOS yet.
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