WhatsApp for Android to add two new features: Swipe to reply, picture-in-picture mode
WhatsApp beta on Android has been updated with two new features. Users can now ‘Swipe to reply’ on chats, and open video links without leaving the app.
These two features are currently available only for WhatsApp beta users on Android. WhatsApp’s beta programme is open for all users and you can follow this link to become a member. Being a beta member on WhatsApp will give you access to features rolled out before it hits the stable version. You can always opt out of the beta programme and get back to the stable WhatsApp.
Picture-in-Picture mode supports YouTube and Instagram videos. If you tap on a YouTube or Instagram video link, it will play within the chat and not direct you to the respective apps. You can also expand the video box to watch it in full-screen. Earlier in August, WhatsApp rolled out picture-in-picture for video calling on its beta app. On iOS, this feature has been available since last year.
Another feature rolled out on iOS is swipe to reply. This essentially allows users to swipe right on the message they want to reply to. It will launch the reply box for that particular message. This feature is an addition to the existing way of replying with a long press on the message. Users now have two shortcut ways of replying to messages on WhatsApp.
This too, has been available for WhatsApp users on iOS for a long time now. WhatsApp usually rolls out features available on beta for its stable version. This however does not confirm a definite rollout though. WhatsApp is expected to introduce more features in the future which include dark mode. It is also reportedly working on showing ads on the messaging app.
courtesy : hindustantimes.com
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3 dead amid heavy flooding caused by record rain in the UAE
Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Apr 19: Three people have died in the United Arab Emirates as a result of heavy flooding caused by record-setting rains this week, officials said Friday.
A statement by the Philippine's Department of Migrant Workers said two women suffocated inside their vehicle during the flooding, while a man died when his vehicle fell into a sinkhole.
The exact number of deaths caused by the storm is not yet known as UAE officials have not released any information.
The UAE, a hereditarily ruled, autocratic nation on the Arabian Peninsula, typically sees little rainfall in its arid desert climate. However, a massive storm forecasters had been warning about for days blew through the country's seven sheikhdoms.
By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport. Other areas of the country saw even more precipitation.
Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel, hoped to be back on a normal schedule within 24 hours, its CEO told The Associated Press late Thursday.
On Friday, long-haul carrier Emirates said on the social platform X that it would again halt local check-in for passengers traveling on its flights until early Saturday to “support operations recovery from the recent bad weather at our Dubai hub.”
Low-cost carrier FlyDubai also saw some disruptions.
Meanwhile, intense floods also struck neighboring Oman in recent days. On Thursday, authorities raised the death toll from those storms to at least 21 killed.
