WhatsApp is Testing Status Tray Makeover with Update Previews

WhatsApp is giving its status feature a revamp! Beta testers on WhatsApp Android are getting a sneak peek at a redesigned status tray within the app’s Updates tab. This new feature promises to make checking your contacts’ updates a more intuitive experience.

Traditionally, the status tray displayed circular profile pictures of your contacts who had posted updates. Tapping on a profile picture would launch their status, which could be a text post, photo, or video. The new design ditches the circles in favour of rectangular boxes. But the biggest change is the addition of update previews directly within the tray.

WhatsApp is Testing Status Tray Makeover with Update Previews

Imagine being able to see a glimpse of your friend’s funny vacation picture or a quick video snippet of their birthday party before you even open their status. This preview feature allows you to decide if the update is something you’d like to watch right away or skip to the next one.

This update is currently in beta testing, meaning it’s only available to a limited group of Android users who have signed up for the WhatsApp beta program. The version number for this beta update is 2.24.10.10. By gathering feedback from these testers, WhatsApp can gauge user response and iron out any kinks before potentially rolling out the update to everyone.

One potential challenge WhatsApp will need to address is screen space. The rectangular previews with text or image snippets might take up more space compared to the old circular icons. This could lead to less room for displaying the list of channels you’ve subscribed to, which sits right below the status tray. Striking a balance between giving users clear update previews and maintaining a clean and organized layout will be key for a successful implementation.

Overall, the redesigned status tray with update previews seems like a positive step towards enhancing the user experience on WhatsApp. Being able to see what a status update is about before opening it can save time and allow you to prioritize which updates to view first. With successful beta testing and adjustments based on user feedback, this new feature could soon be available to all WhatsApp users, making checking statuses a more streamlined and informative experience.