WhatsApp begins experimenting with voice messages as status updates

 WhatsApp is one of the most widely used encrypted messaging systems, even though it may not be the greatest at syncing call data. It long ago adopted fleeting media-sharing capabilities from businesses like Snapchat and others owned by Meta. Options include status updates shared with your contact list, view-once media, and vanishing communications. However, the types of media that people can share as status updates have been somewhat constrained. Users will soon be able to post voice messages as status updates on WhatsApp.

Early prototypes of WhatsApp's voice message status feature appeared in July 2022, thus the functionality has been in development for a time. Through the most recent beta update on the Google Play Store, the messaging service is now rolling out the feature to a small group of testers. When WABetaInfo tested the function, they found that voice notes can be sent from the same section as written statuses. Similar to sending voice messages in a typical WhatsApp chat, the send button becomes a microphone that you can push and hold to record a message.

WhatsApp will share these voice notes with everyone you've given permission to view your regular photo/video status updates, just like it does with all other status updates. Like all other status updates, they are end-to-end encrypted and remain live for 24 hours unless manually erased earlier. There is a 30-second time limit on recordings, but if necessary, you can stop one and start over. However, keep in mind that if your contacts are still utilising an earlier version of WhatsApp, they won't be able to hear your status post.

It may not seem like a big feature at first, but it sure beats stacking your recording on a bunch of related images in a video editing tool for a few minutes. Additionally, it is considerably simpler than notifying numerous contacts with a recorded message. This functionality is not yet available on any of our WhatsApp beta-running devices, which is typical of a longer phased rollout or an A/B beta test. WhatsApp hasn't said when we might see this feature on the stable channel, despite the fact that it has been under development for almost a year. Therefore, before a global release, more adjustments to its operation may be made.