WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Meta, is set to roll out an exciting new feature in its upcoming update. According to WABetaInfo, the latest beta version, 2.23.15.6, available through the Google Play Beta Program, gives us a glimpse of what’s to come: animated avatars.

WhatsApp Animated Avatar Stickers

Just recently, WhatsApp made two significant enhancements to its avatar functionality on both iOS and Android platforms. The first improvement allows users to create their avatars automatically by simply taking a photo. The second enhancement involves expanding the collection of avatars available to users, which is automatically rolled out to those who set up their avatars within the app settings. But that’s not all.

Building upon these advancements, WhatsApp is now developing an animated version of its avatar pack, as revealed in the latest beta update. This update promises to bring a dynamic element to avatars, adding more life and personality to stickers and enhancing the overall communication experience. While an exact release date has not been announced, the animated avatars are already functional and provide a stable user experience.

Alongside the animated avatars, WhatsApp is also working on a sticker suggestion feature based on the emoji used during chats, allowing users to discover and share relevant stickers more conveniently.

In addition to these exciting developments, WhatsApp is actively working on several other features to improve the user experience. This includes enhancing privacy with a hidden phone number feature for communities, introducing a convenient chat list filter feature, and implementing high-quality video-sharing capabilities.

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(Via)

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WhatsApp is the world’s most used instant messaging app. Nonetheless, it is always late to introduce new features that are found on competitors like Telegram. That said, the Facebook-owned messaging platform is finally rolling out support for animated stickers for users on all the platforms.

Animated stickers are available now. pic.twitter.com/gYNQyqCoe6

— WhatsApp Inc. (@WhatsApp) July 8, 2020

Animated stickers on WhatsApp was recently spotted in Beta v2.20.194.7, however, it was soon removed in the next version v2.20.194.9. But now, they are back again for all the users instead of certain users on the beta builds. The company announced the official rollout on Twitter.

The new animated stickers feature on WhatsApp is available on all the platforms including desktop (Windows & macOS). Users need to update the app to v2.20194.16 on Android and v2.20.70 on iOS.

To use them, tap on emoji icon to access sticker pane and then select plus (+) icon to open sticker store. On that screen, animated sticker packs will be denoted by a play icon. Download the desired pack and start using them in your conversations.

Since the sticker store cannot be accessed on desktops, users need to download the animated sticker pack on their phone to use them on their computers.

Having said that, third-party support is yet to arrive as per by Gadgets360. Also, they don’t loop like on Telegram or Facebook Messenger. One needs to either scroll up or down to trigger the animation.

UP NEXT: Ads are coming to WhatsApp eventually

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Last week, WhatsApp launched its payment service in Brazil but it has been now suspended by the government. Similarly, the instant messaging app introduced animated stickers in a recent beta version but that too got removed in the next version of the application.

WhatsApp Animated Stickers

WhatsApp has been lately adding some interesting features in its app. Recently, the company rolled out WhatsApp Beta v2.20.194.7 for Android. This version of the app brought animated stickers feature, which is found on other messaging services like Telegram.

Unfortunately, it was soon removed in the next beta version of the app – v2.20.194.9. The current implementation is half-baked as per Android Police. This could be the reason why the company got rid of it for the time being in the new version.

Anyway, we hope WhatsApp releases it in the stable channel for everyone in the near future

WhatsApp Payment Service Suspension in Brazil

In other news, the Brazilian Central Bank suspends WhatsApp payment service within days from its rollout in the country. The company launched it in partnership with fintech Nubank, state-controlled lender Banco do Brasil SA, Visa, Mastercard and lender Sicredi.

Reuters reports that WhatsApp launched its payment services in Brazil without requesting authorization from the Central Bank. Hence, Visa and Mastercard had to suspend their operations with the Facebook-owned messaging app.

If they haven’t complied with the order, the world’s two largest financial services company would have been subjected to fines and administrative sanctions. Before the suspension of services, the Central Bank issued a regulation saying “it could require market participants to receive previous approval to operate in payments”.

The Central Bank of Brazil is expected to launch its own instant payment system called Pix in November with more than 980 participants. A WhatsApp spokesperson said they are committed to working with the Central Bank to integrate systems once Pix becomes available.

Additionally, Brazil’s antitrust watchdog, Cade, blocked WhatsApp’s partnership with the country’s largest payment processor Cielo.

UP NEXT: Ads are coming to WhatsApp eventually

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