This week, WhatsApp added a host of unique features, including the option to mute others during group calls (via Android Central). This sanity-saving tool appears to be useful not only for muting folks who fail to do so, but also if you’re in the same room as someone else on the conversation and don’t want to hear an echo of their words.
While some conferencing programmes, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, allow hosts to mute all (or particular) participants, most don’t allow individual users to mute anybody they wish during a session. This function provides a new level of control that’s probably best reserved for tumultuous meetings with up to eight individuals on video conferences.
Some new features for group calls on @WhatsApp: You can now mute or message specific people on a call (great if someone forgets to mute themselves!), and we've added a helpful indicator so you can more easily see when more people join large calls. pic.twitter.com/fxAUCAzrsy
— Will Cathcart (@wcathcart) June 16, 2022
In response to the current muting feature, WhatsApp also allows you to message particular people while on a group call, which is useful if you need to send a note to someone or crack a joke that might not go down well with the entire group. WhatsApp is also introducing a new banner that will notify you when someone joins a call after it has already begun.
More than simply its group calling capability is being developed by the messaging service. WhatsApp said on Friday that you can now control who sees your profile photo, about, and last seen status, which reveals when you were last active on the network. This could assist keep your profile hidden from professional contacts or anyone you don’t want to have access to it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Due to potential privacy concerns, WhatsApp began hiding your last seen status from outsiders by default last year.
