News
New WhatsApp Feature Is Set To Transform Voice Chats
An in-chat bubble will let up to 32 users join whenever they’re available.
Whether you’re sharing family news or connecting with friends during a nail-biting sports event, there are often moments when you need to talk amongst yourselves in a WhatsApp group chat. Now, the Meta-owned company is introducing an exciting new feature that should revolutionize the messaging platform’s user experience by enabling up to 32 users to seamlessly join conversations without disruption.
Instead of intrusive automatic ringing, group participants will receive push notifications and can tap on a bubble to join the voice chat, offering a more user-friendly and less disruptive experience.
Once in a voice chat, participants can access call controls from the top of the interface. This ensures that users can manage call settings without hampering their ability to send and receive text messages simultaneously.
Voice chats will roll out on iOS and Android in the coming weeks, and in the early stages, WhatsApp will focus on larger group chats with participant ranges of 33 to 128. The latest update marks a significant stride towards refining WhatsApp’s user interface while enhancing group communication and adding an additional layer of security using end-to-end encryption.
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The latest WhatsApp update coincides with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s news during the company’s recent earnings report that interactions between users and businesses have surpassed 600 million daily occurrences, with revenue hitting $293 million in Q3 — a 53% year-on-year increase.
WhatsApp now has over 2 billion monthly active users, making it one of the most widely used messaging platforms worldwide.
News
Ericsson And e& Join Forces To Bring Superfast 5G To Egypt
The partnership aims to deliver fast, reliable connectivity to private users and enterprises while supporting cross-sector digital innovation.
At GITEX GLOBAL 2024, Ericsson and e& Egypt announced a groundbreaking partnership to roll out 5G technology across Egypt, promising users enhanced connectivity with faster speeds, reduced latency, and expanded bandwidth. The collaboration will cater to the growing demand for advanced mobile services for both consumers and enterprises alike.
Under the agreement, Ericsson will deliver its energy-efficient 5G product suite to establish the new network. This comprehensive 5G Radio Access Network (5G RAN) portfolio, implemented through the Ericsson Radio System, is designed to support diverse traffic conditions and site types. It aims to provide reliable performance as networks grow across mobile generations, equipping Egypt with a stable, high-capacity infrastructure to foster digital innovation.
The adoption of 5G is expected to provide Egyptians with seamless connectivity and increased network resilience. The expanded bandwidth and lower latency brought by this new infrastructure will support not only faster internet for users but also enhance industry operations and contribute to society as a whole.
“We are thrilled to bring 5G to Egypt with our technology partner, Ericsson. Through this partnership, e& Egypt will be able to provide faster connectivity speeds, larger bandwidth, and lag-free user experience to our customers, unlocking many opportunities for consumers and enterprises,” said Amr Fathy, Chief Technology and Information Officer of e& Egypt. “With Ericsson’s cutting-edge 5G solutions, we are paving the way for a more connected and innovative future for Egypt”.
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Ekow Nelson, Vice President and Head of Global Customer Unit for e& at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, also reflected on the longstanding collaboration: “Our storied partnership with e& Egypt dates back nearly two decades, with two generational shifts in mobile technology. Like previous generational shifts, our ambition with 5G is to extend e& Egypt’s technology position”.
Ericsson and e& Egypt have collaborated successfully for years, achieving notable milestones in network innovation, customer experience, and sustainable development.