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

NEOPAY Wants To Follow Merchants Across Channels And Borders

A controlling 65% stake in noon payments would give NEOPAY access to marketplace sellers, online merchants and the payment flows they generate.

Published

1 day ago

October 5, 2026

Nour Nasir

neopay wants to follow merchants across channels and borders

It’s been a long time since checkouts were single defined places. A merchant might take payments at a physical register, on its own website and through an online marketplace, sometimes in more than one country. NEOPAY wants to follow those transactions wherever they happen.

The UAE payments company has entered into an agreement to acquire a 65% controlling stake in noon payments. NEOPAY already runs the acquiring infrastructure that lets merchants accept card payments, along with omnichannel acceptance and a merchant services platform. This new deal would add noon payments’ embedded payments platform, e-commerce gateway and merchant network across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. That would considerably expand both NEOPAY’s digital commerce capabilities and its regional reach.

For merchants, the attraction is a single provider for online and in-store payments, plus faster settlements, data and analytics, and value-added financial services.

“Payments should be simple, reliable, and built for the markets they serve,” said Faraz Khalid, CEO of noon. His counterpart at NEOPAY, Vibhor Mundhada, added: “We have built a strong payments business in the UAE, and our ambition is now to take that capability across the region”. The acquisition, Mundhada added, would “expand our footprint into Saudi Arabia and Egypt” while reinforcing NEOPAY’s position at home.

Also Read: In Kuwait, Your Surgeon Might Be Operating From Another Country

NEOPAY is also keen to point out potential payment volume increases. The company says noon payments’ integrations with marketplace sellers and online merchants create high transaction density in some of the region’s fastest-growing digital commerce segments. It also believes control of the business would give it access to those merchant relationships and payment flows, and speed up the rollout of alternative payment methods and installment options.

The combined roadmap targets faster merchant onboarding, better payment performance, tighter fraud controls and embedded financial services. The deal could also strengthen cross-border payments and settlement along key regional commerce corridors.