News

Top 5 Features Coming To WhatsApp In 2022

Who doesn’t love new WhatsApp features?

Published

4 years ago

April 9, 2022

top 5 features coming to whatsapp in 2022

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

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

message reaction feature

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

create 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.

News

Saudi Digital Payments Reach 80% As Cash Use Shrinks

Visa data shows cards and mobile wallets dominate spending, with smartphones now driving a growing share of daily transactions.

Published

1 day ago

January 23, 2026

Nour Nasir

saudi digital payments reach 80% as cash use shrinks

Digital payments now account for 80% of all transactions in Saudi Arabia, according to Visa’s latest Where Cash Hides report, another marker of how quickly the Kingdom is moving away from cash.

The share is up four percentage points from a year ago. Around 67% of consumers are now largely non-cash users, paying mainly with cards or mobile wallets. Smartphones are taking a bigger role, with mobile payments making up 16% of transactions.

visa where cash hides saudi arabia 2026

Cash is retreating in routine spending. Eating out dropped 9%. Bill payments fell 8%, as shoppers opt for faster checkouts and app-based payments.

“The data shows a steady move toward digital payments in Saudi Arabia. Such progress is possible only because banks, fintechs, merchants, and technology partners are moving together in the same direction, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” said Ali Bailoun, Visa’s Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman.

Also Read: UAE Users Sleep Less, But More Efficiently, ŌURA Data Reveals

Despite the recent findings, it’s important to note that cash hasn’t yet disappeared. It still shows up for tips (39%), peer-to-peer transfers (28%) and rent (14%).

Visa points to security features such as tokenization, along with rewards and cashback, as factors nudging more spending onto cards and phones — a shift that tracks with Saudi Arabia’s wider Vision 2030 push to digitize commerce.