Khaberni - It appears that "WhatsApp" is taking a further step towards the realm of social networking, with a new design test that might make the "Status" updates more visible than ever within the app.
According to a report published by "WABetaInfo", the WhatsApp beta version 2.26.6.9 on Android displays the latest status updates from contacts at the top of the "Chats" tab, instead of just showing them under the "Status" tab.
New statuses appear as profile pictures of people who have posted updates recently, according to a report by "phonearena" and reviewed by "Al Arabiya Business".
The new feature does not display all statuses randomly, but focuses on contacts that the user interacts with frequently, provided they have posted a new status.
Although the "Status" tab still exists on the bottom bar, having statuses at the top of the chats page might significantly change how the app is used.
The mute settings are still effective; if you have muted someone's status, their updates will not appear in the new top bar.
So far, the change has been observed only in the Android beta version, without confirmation regarding its availability on iPhone devices.
A gradual shift towards a social media nature
The move reflects a growing trend by Meta to transform "WhatsApp" from a simple messaging app to a platform more akin to social media, especially with the ongoing popularity of the "Stories" feature across various apps.
Although "WhatsApp" does not display traditional ads within conversations, highlighting statuses in this manner may open doors to future revenue opportunities, as happens in other company-owned apps.
On the other hand, some users believe that the strength of "WhatsApp" lies in its simplicity, and that adding additional social features could diverge it from its core function as an instant and fast messaging app.
So far, the change is still in the testing phase, which means that its final form or even the possibility of its complete cancellation remains possible before the official launch.
