Group Chats - WhatsApp Now Has An "Admin" Button

whatsapp 桌面版 is a popular messaging app with over a billion downloads, originally created for Android and later made available on the desktop as well. While the Android version allows users to stay in touch with friends and family on the go, the desktop version provides an easy way to stay connected with loved ones when logged on at home.

Version 5.0 of the app – released in December 2019 – brings a number of notable changes to the app, including the ability to sign up for a WhatsApp Business account and the integration of Apple Pay and Google Pay for cheap international phone calls.

New In V5.0

One of the most significant new features in the WhatsApp v5.0 update is the addition of country filtering. Now, when users search for a contact whatsapp on their device, they will see a small globe next to a flag representing their country of residence. Tapping on a flag will open a drop-down menu where users can choose their country, and the app will then filter the contacts it shows to only those within their country.

This makes a tremendous difference, as it takes away all the clutter and allows users to easily find contacts from the country they are searching for. You can also choose whether to show contacts from only your buddies on your device, or from everyone you know. This isn't just a fancy feature and is crucial if you use the app on the go, as you won't want your traveling buddy to see all of your private conversations.

Then, WhatsApp also added a QR code scanner to the app, which debuted in the iOS 12.2 release and later made its way to the Android version. This feature allows users to quickly find any contact's phone number or email by simply scanning a QR code with their smartphone camera.

Additionally, WhatsApp added a new contact request alert that will notify users when a contact they are not already connected to on the device joins the group chat or starts a private conversation with the user. This new alert should not be confused with the existing message notification, which still applies for individual chats and group chats where the message is important.

On the subject of group chats, the app now has an "Admin" button located at the top right of the conversation panel. This allows superusers to easily manage group chats on their platform. The number of users who will benefit from this feature is substantial. Additionally, if a contact you've added is also a user of WhatsApp and they join a chat room that you're in (whether privately or in a group), you'll now be automatically conversed with when they log on. This is a great feature if you are a power user who works with others on a team and wants to keep the discussion going during moments when you aren't available.

More In Apple News

Not only does Apple pay close attention to its own products, but it also takes a keen interest in what happens in the technology community around it. The iPhone maker has covered news stories about WhatsApp in the past, and it has even launched its own investigative journalism division to cover developments in the field.

In late 2019, Apple News dithered on a story about the latest version of WhatsApp, stating that the company does not comment on app pre-release news. A few days later, another story was published, this time mentioning the app's new country filtering functionality.

Desktop Or Mobile?

Unlike other apps that you'll find on this list, WhatsApp isn't actually designed to be used exclusively on the mobile – it is also available for download on the desktop. Most people use the app on the go, but desktop users can still access all of the functions of the app, including the group chats, through browser extensions or native clients. (Though these functionalities aren't proved to be particularly user-friendly on the desktop version of the app – even though the desktop version is more stable and reliable than the mobile version.)

A Business Account For WhatsApp?

One of the most requested features by users of the app is the ability to create a business account. Initially, when WhatsApp was made available for Mac OS X in 2007, the company gave users the ability to sign up for a free trial of its business version. Since then, several features have been added to the app, including the ability for businesses to contact individual customers via the platform.

WhatsApp v5.0 is the first version of the app to include a paid option, and it is the first version of the app to include a business account. If you want to make some extra cash working part-time, you can enter the business version of the app and start a side hustle as a self-employed professional. (Though taxes will probably still have to be paid for the real job you're actually doing while monetizing this side hobby.)

Why Are We Seeing More And More Apps Go Open Source?

The reason why we're seeing more and more apps move to open source is because developers want to share their work with the community, promote progress, and give back. Often, developers will release the source code of their apps under a free license (such as the MIT or GPL license) so that others can use it for their own purposes. Additionally, many app developers believe that the more source code there is available for others to study and improve upon, the more value they'll contribute to the world of software development and innovation.

More Ways To Improve Group Operations

Besides adding new features, WhatsApp v5.0 is also designed to be more user-friendly when it comes to group chats and collaboration amongst team members. First, the app now offers a way for everyone to join a group chat at any time, and a way for group leaders to schedule group chats and instruct the team about group decisions.