Ever since WhatsApp has been popular, you can tell by the text Typing… that someone is creating a message. That seems to be coming to a definite end soon.
If you are in conversation with someone on WhatsApp, you will see a notification appear under that person’s name if that person is writing a message. You probably can’t remember other than that this was the case. In other apps, such as iMessage, you’ll often see a bullet appear in the chat screen, the moment your chat partner is typing.
WhatsApp is now coming out with such a bullet. If someone is typing a message for you, then instead of the text Typing… you will now see a text bullet appear with three circles in it. As soon as someone sends you a message, the bullet will make way for the message in question.
Already on WhatsApp for Android and iOS
WhatsApp appears to be slowly rolling out the new feature to both Android and iOS users. A month and a half ago, WABetaInfo reported that the change would happen. According to Tweakers, some users with WhatsApp version 2.24.23.78 on Android already have the change. Also, iOS users with version 2.24.23.82 of WhatsApp are already seeing bullets instead of text.
You can check for yourself which version of WhatsApp you have. To do so, go to Settings, and then to Help.
(Image: WABetaInfo)
Also new view for when you record
In addition to new symbols for typing users, WhatsApp has also changed the layout for when you record a voice message. That too is now displayed with text at the top of the screen. From now on, you will see a text ball appear in the chat field containing a microphone, which switches between white to gray when recording and not recording.
Because WhatsApp doesn’t report when the feature will be available to everyone, there’s no telling. It could be that you have text today, and the new way of displaying tomorrow. If the messaging service finds that the rollout goes well with a small group of users, I’m sure it won’t be very long before we say goodbye to the Typing…notification for good.
