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Top 5 Features Coming To WhatsApp In 2022
Who doesn’t love new WhatsApp features?
WhatsApp has around 2 billion monthly active users, and the instant messaging service is well-aware that its users will remain loyal only if it manages to keep up with competing apps, such as Telegram, Viber, and iMessage.
In 2022, WhatsApp users can look forward to many new and exciting features. Unfortunately, we can’t say with certainty that they’ll all be available by the end of the year, but we’ll certainly keep you informed.
#1 – Instagram Reels Integration
WhatsApp and Instagram are both owned by the same company, Meta, so it makes sense for the two apps to become more closely integrated. In particular, WhatsApp is supposed to get a new section where users will be able to watch Instagram Reels, short videos published on Instagram, directly within the app.
#2 – Last Seen Status Hiding
Right now, you can hide your last seen status on WhatsApp for nobody, your contacts, or everybody. Later this year, you should also be able to hide it only from specific contacts. This feature can go a long way in helping users better protect their privacy.
#3 – WhatsApp Community
In the near future, WhatsApp users will have one fewer reason to use Discord because the upcoming Community feature will make it possible for admins to create a community channel with up to 10 groups. Admins will then be able to send messages to all groups at once.
Also Read: How To Backup WhatsApp Chats On Android And iOS
#4 – Message Reactions
Facebook, Instagram, Viber, and Telegram users are all enjoying the option to respond to a message with a reaction emoji, and WhatsApp users should soon be able to do the same. Exactly how many reactions will be supported hasn’t been confirmed yet, but some people estimate that it will be six.
#5 – Custom Sticker Packs
Stickers are fun, and users love sharing them with others. An upcoming update is expected to introduce the ability to create custom sticker packs using photos and images downloaded from the internet. This feature is guaranteed to unleash a torrent of creativity across the entire user base.
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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth
The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.