WhatsApp maybe working on separate app for Business; ability to unsend messages coming soon

WhatsApp is working on the ability to allow users to ‘revoke’ messages using a ‘revoke’ function. Currently, the functionality is limited to the beta version of iOS where you are presented with the option to ‘revoke’ the message when you long press on a message inside a chat. The feature is available in personal chat, but there is no clarity about the feature arriving in group chat.

SNEAK PEEK #1:
WhatsApp beta for iOS 2.17.1.869: it is possible to revoke messages! pic.twitter.com/Ncj22txxcG

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) December 14, 2016

This new feature has not made its way in the Android beta version at the time of writing this article. After the rollout of video calling feature last month, this is the most significant feature that will make its way to WhatsApp. Once you select the ‘revoke’ option, it removes the message from the inbox of the recipient which will be a saviour for many who previously sent messages in wrong groups or to people other than the ones intended to receive the message. [caption id=“attachment_352949” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Image Credit: WABetaInfo[/caption] The addition of this functionality will enrich the feature-set offered by WhatsApp, and the app shows “Sender revoked the message” in place of the revoked message. The notification of the revoked message makes it useful for people to know that there was some message and makes it impossible to make the conversation seem out of context. Still, it is too early for use to say if the feature is useful, we will have to wait and watch about how the company will strike a balance between the usability of the feature and potential misuse of the app. [caption id=“attachment_352948” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Image Credit: WABetaInfo[/caption] According to reports by reliable WhatsApp information source on upcoming features WA Beta Info, WhatsApp may be working on a separate app for Business users. The second app is being referred to as WhatsApp for Business aimed at business users. It’s not confirmed if the Business app will be different or WhatsApp will let two profiles, business and personal profiles run in the same app. The profile system will not make sense and WhatsApp will probably keep a check that each device can only use one personal and one business profile.

SNEAK PEEK #2 (RUMOR BY @WABetaInfo)
WhatsApp is working on a second application: for iOS, Android and Windows Phonehttps://t.co/GNEXy9VEFd pic.twitter.com/ONdr5KskkP

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) December 14, 2016

More from News & Analysis

What is the US HIRE Bill and why is India’s $250-billion IT sector worried? Is the internet dead? What's this theory that OpenAI's Sam Altman says might be true?

There are concerns about the app being bloated, but let’s see how that develops. WABetaInfo also pointed out that the company will allow companies to set up Business contacts which will be verified by WhatsApp. Businesses can then use WhatsApp to send advertisements in place of SMSes and you can allow the messages or block the sender.