WhatsApp in the latest version surprises positively. It's hard to believe that Meta is making us wait so long for an option that seems... obvious.
Some time ago, we learned that in WhatsApp we will yet be able to manage animations as part of the chat message. Now with the Android android beta version of the Android app (2.25.11.10), this function yet becomes a fact.
Less distractions in the message window. WhatsApp is yet doing it right
After updating to the latest beta version, any testers received a completely fresh section in the settings. It is there that users gain the ability to individually control animations for emoticons, stickers and GIF files. This allows each individual to adjust the level of dynamics on their chats, deciding which content should be animated and which should stay static.
One of the most interesting news is the anticipation to disable automatic animation of fresh emoticons, which any users have complained about from the very beginning. For those who like a more subdued, minimalist interface, static emoticons is an crucial change that will undoubtedly improve conversation readability and make conversation on WhatsApp little annoying. Besides, we get the option to disable the animation of stickers – and if we usage them, they will be displayed as static images... or at least as long as the user does not click on them. In practice, this means a crucial limitation of traffic on the screen, which is of peculiar importance in group conversations, where full series of stickers are frequently sent. The cherry on the cake is more control over the GIFs. Now you can make them static by default in the chat window and make them animated just like stickers – after the user clicks on them.
Initially, the WhatsApp squad considered introducing a single control that would disable all animations simultaneously. In the end, however, a more flexible approach was decided – the user receives 3 independent configuration options, which gives greater freedom to adapt the application to his own preferences.
When will everyone take advantage of the fresh option? That's... not known yet.
For the moment, WhatsApp is inactive investigating the options related to stickers. Even among the beta testers, not everyone has access to it yet — but since it has come so far, it is likely that it is simply a substance of the next fewer weeks to make it available to a wider audience – and not necessarily in a group of testers.
