While this new exciting feature is still under development, and not ready for beta testers, WABetaInfo reports that this new future update will introduce a music button within the drawing editor that appears after selecting a photo or a video for the status update. Just like it’s done on other Meta-owned platforms including Facebook and Instagram, users will then be able to search for songs or specific artists by tapping this button, which will make it easier for them to find and add their favorite music directly to their status updates.

“Once a song is selected, it will be automatically integrated into the status update, allowing users to personalize their photos or videos with music.”  wrote the WhatsApp tracker. “This enhancement will likely make status updates more engaging and expressive, as users can set the mood or add context to their shared content using music.”

Meanwhile, the instant messaging service is also working on several other features including the ability to create and share entire custom sticker packs. This update will enable users to organize their stickers more efficiently by categorizing them into distinct packs directly within the application, without the need to involve third-party apps. You will also be able to personalize your collections, modify packs, and share them easily with your contacts.

WhatsApp is always working on several features to enhance user experience on the app but it should however be noted that not all of them make it to the public release. Some of the features that made it include a ‘Favorites’ Feature to Filter Chats, and a Self-Destruct Audio Message Feature, among others.

The post WhatsApp is Working on a Feature to Share Music Through Status Updates appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

According to the social platform, users will now be able to save contacts to the app itself and manage them via the desktop version of the app, in addition to the mobile interface.

“Until now, the only place you were able to add contacts was from your mobile device, by either typing in a phone number or scanning a QR code. WhatsApp wrote in the blog post. “Soon, you’ll be able to add and manage contacts from the comfort of your keyboard on WhatsApp Web and Windows – and eventually other linked devices.”

WhatsApp has traditionally relied on users’ phone address books to hold and manage contacts, however, this meant that users couldn’t recover their contacts in case they lost their devices. This new development will however address this by making it possible to restore WhatsApp contacts from cloud storage. The company also adds that the feature will additionally be useful “For when you are sharing your phone with others or if you want to separate personal and business contacts when managing more than one WhatsApp account on your phone.”

The social messaging app added that the contact storing feature update will also make it possible for users to finally be able to manage and save contacts by usernames. “Usernames on WhatsApp will add an extra degree of privacy so that you don’t need to share your phone number when messaging someone,” WhatsApp said in the blog post.

This is the first time WhatsApp has publically mentioned the use of usernames, a feature that has been in development since last year according to a May 2023 report by WABetaInfo.

Additionally, Meta has acknowledged the privacy trade-offs that come with storing your information remotely, and to address this, the company has developed a more advanced encryption system to store and share relevant data called Identity Proof Linked Storage (IPLS).

“Contact names are stored encrypted within WhatsApp, and we’ve built this with additional, robust protections by using IPLS to deter access to contacts to anyone except the user.” writes Meta.

Meta further explains that IPLS incorporates new privacy technology that protects users’ contact lists in a privacy-preserving fashion, adding, “To further ensure the safety and security of this system, we’ve partnered with Cloudflare to provide independent third-party auditing of its cryptographic properties.” According to the company, the new technology stack was reviewed by external researchers and NCC Group Cryptography Services, an independent cybersecurity consultancy.

The post WhatsApp Introduces In-App Contact Saving Feature, Teases Usernames appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

The feature which started rolling out today was first spotted in February by WABetaInfo as it was being tested on iOS and the web before it appeared on Android in April.

The Meta-owned instant messaging platform has also added a “Favorites” section to the calls tab to let you speed-dial your favorite contacts without the need to go through your recent call logs.

“Whether it’s your family group chat or your best friend, your ‘favorites’ will be the same across your chats and calls, so you can speed dial them from your calls tab too.” WhatsApp wrote in a blog post.

If you wish to add a contact or group to your favorites, from your chats screen, select the “Favorites” filter and choose the contact to add. From the calls tab, you can tap ‘Add favorite’ and then select your contacts or groups. You can also add a chat to your favorites by simply long-tapping it and selecting “Add to favorite.” Additionally, there is an option for you to manage your favorite contacts and groups by going to your WhatsApp Settings > Favorites > Add to Favorite. From here, the instant messaging app will let you reorder them how you wish to.

To enjoy this new feature, you will need to update your WhatsApp application by heading to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and finding the latest version of the app. However, it should be noted that while the update has started rolling out today, it will be made available to everyone in the coming weeks.

The post WhatsApp Rolls Out a ‘Favorites’ Feature to Filter Chats appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

While the social platform’s official changelog on the App Store does not mention the new feature, WABetaInfo, WhatsApp’s tracking site has confirmed the update in its latest online report. According to the report, this new feature will allow users to find and manage their frequently contacted chats and groups quickly.

Through a new “Favorites” section in the app settings, users can add favorites directly within this tab and manage them. The section allows users to easily add, remove, and reorder their favorite contacts and groups. Users can also add favorites directly from the chat info screen, enabling them to easily select their most important conversations without opening the contacts picker.

“With the introduction of the favorites filter at the top of the chats list and a new section to manage them within the app settings, users can efficiently organize and access their preferred contacts and groups,” the tracker reports.

To use the feature, you will have to update the WhatsApp app. However, the filter is available for some users and will be rolled out to more accounts over the coming weeks.

ALSO READ: THE PROS AND CONS OF SENDING VOICE MESSAGES USING WHATSAPP

The post WhatsApp is Gradually Rolling Out a “Favorite” Chats and Groups Feature for iOS appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

The Promise of Buzzoid: Instant Followers or Instant Regret?

What Buzzoid Brings to the Table

Buy Instagram Followers from Buzzoid says it has an easy answer for a hard question: getting more people to follow you on Instagram. With just a few clicks you can pay Buzzoid to add Instagram followers. Then it looks like more people like your Instagram page. But is it that easy? It’s tempting to get popular online fast. But we should ask: what kind of people are we inviting to our Instagram pages? Will they be interested in what we post? Will they keep following us? Or will they just make our follower number look bigger without really helping?

Beyond buying followers: the quest for authentic engagement

The Heartbeat of Instagram: Genuine Connections

It is not just the number of people who follow you on Instagram that shows how much you can impact others. It is more about how real people interact with your posts. Comments, shares, and likes from really interested followers are more important for success on Instagram. This is different than a place where people quickly look at your photos but then leave without interacting. Real engagement with happy followers who want to talk about your photos is better than many looks without comments.

Crafting content that resonates

The most important part of real Instagram growth is posts that talk to people and posts that mean something to your followers. It’s about finding a special way to share a way that tells stories about your life shows what you do and helps people feel close. This is where the magic is where followers become big fans and big fans tell others about you.

Ways to get more­ people to follow you on Instagram without buying followers

It is bette­r to focus on how many people are involve­d rather than how many people the­re are. Talk to the pe­ople who follow you and reply when the­y leave comments. Look at the­ir profiles too and show you care. This back-and-forth talking builds a group around your brand. The­ group wants your brand to do well just like you do.

ALSO READ: TOP SITES TO BUY INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS FOR YOUR ONLINE BRAND

Leverage user-generated content

Ask the people who follow you to share their own stories and things that happened to them about your product or topic. Pictures and experiences shared by others help make your page more interesting. It also helps show that what you say is real and makes people feel more like they belong to a group.

Hashtags and collaborations: expanding your reach

Use he­lpful hashtags when you post so more people­ can find your profile. Talk to others who post about the same­ things you do. Work with influencers too. They have­ many followers who want to see posts like­ yours. Partnering with others can show your profile to a bigge­r group of people inte­rested in the type­s of posts you share.

ALSO READ: FROM 0 – HERO: HOW TO BECOME AN INSTAGRAM INFLUENCER

Measuring success: beyond the follower count

Doing well on Instagram is not just about how many people follow you. It’s also about how many people like comment on and share your posts. Look at the numbers and comments to see what pictures and videos people like the most. Think about why those things are popular. Then make more of what your followers enjoy. That way you can build a loyal group of people who want to see what you share.

The sustainable path to growth

Getting popular on Instagram take­s time not speed. Ste­ady growth means being patient doing things the­ same way regularly and changing when ne­eded. It is about changing as your followers change­ paying attention to what people say and always making your photos and plans be­tter.

Crafting your narrative

People are excited about Buzzoid and other apps that can get you more likes and followers on Instagram. But being popular on Instagram for real is about visually sharing your true life through photos and videos. It’s also about connecting with others and having followers who want to support you.

While there are many ways to try getting more followers the best thing is to build strong relationships with people by sharing what matters to you. Let your Instagram be a place to show real experiences feelings and interactions with others. After all, being honest about who you are is the most important thing when connecting with people on social media. Authenticity makes your messages more meaningful.

Embracing Authenticity: The Unseen ROI

The ripple effect of genuine engagement

Think of eve­ry real interaction on your Instagram like dropping a pe­bble into a pond. The pebble­ causes ripples that go far past the first splash. True­ engagement starts talks he­lps create a group and finally spreads how pe­ople see your brand in ways just numbe­rs alone can’t. This dropping pebbles cause­s a system where your followe­rs are not just people watching but pe­ople helping tell your story.

Storytelling: your Instagram superpower

Harnessing the power of narratives

In Instagram where­ every swipe shows a ne­w story how do you make sure your story gets notice­d and liked? Storytelling is your power. It’s about taking the­ important parts of your brand what you believe and your e­xperiences and putting the­m together in a picture that le­ts your followers see into your world.

Share­ looks behind the scene­s at the tough times you went through the­ good times you celebrate­d and watch as being real turns people­ who just look into people who always look.

The Strategy Behind Hashtags and Visibility

Mastering the art of discovery

Hashtags help pe­ople find your Instagram posts. They act like signs that point othe­rs to your page. The trick is picking hashtags that fit what you share but are­ not too popular. Also, pick hashtags wide enough to catch your ideal vie­wers. Post at times when many pe­ople use Instagram. Then your re­al fans will find you without you paying for fake followers.

Cultivating a community: more than just followers

A space for connection and growth

Making friends on Instagram is more than getting lots of people to follow you; it’s about making a place where people interact a lot and where relationships grow. Do live videos to talk about things in your group make polls and tests in your stories to learn what interests the people there and always see when people are there. Your followers should feel noticed listened to and important—not just as numbers but as important parts of your Instagram friends.

Analyzing growth: the insightful path forward

Navigating through analytics

Instagram gives lots of details through its analysis. It shows how well your plans are working. Look closely at this big pile of information to learn about who likes your photos how they join in and what pictures and videos people like best. Using numbers and facts lets you make your photos stories and shows fit what your group likes more perfectly. That way every picture and video they see will connect with them.

Conclusion: Authenticity as Your Compass
In the big digital world of Instagram, e­veryone tries to find the­ir place and build their group. Being re­al is the real guide. The­ journey to important growth is marked not by how many followers you have­ but by how deep the conne­ctions you make along the way are.

As we­ finish this part about looking at the buzz around Buzzoid and the many ways to grow on Instagram let’s re­member the old wisdom that be­ing real is better than pre­tending. Let your Instagram show your real se­lf. Let your growth be see­n not just in followers but in how rich the connections you make­ are.

The post Exploring the Buzz Around Buzzoid: A Closer Look at Instagram Growth Strategies appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

“The ability to tag a topic on your post is now rolling out globally,” announced Instagram head Adam Mosseri. “So you can categorize your posts and make it easier for others to find and join in on the conversation,” he added.

 

Post by @mosseri

View on Threads

 

While the purpose of the tags on Threads is the same as on any other platform, they work differently here. Mosseri says they are trying something simple and slightly new: a user can start a tag by tapping the # symbol and typing out the topic. However, they can type out a whole phrase and add special characters instead of being limited to just one word. But there’s still a catch – you can only make one tag per post and the tag view is the search view.

“The hope is this design focuses tags more on communities and less on engagement hacking and does so while keeping threads simple and easy to use.” wrote Mosseri.

In November, Mark Zuckerberg revealed Meta was testing a new tagging feature for its Twitter-like app that’s similar to hashtags.

“Testing a way to categorize your posts with a tag. Starting in Australia with more countries coming soon.”

The post Hash-Tagging on Threads is Now Rolling Out Globally appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

“If you’re someone who leaves people on read: your day has come. We’re testing the ability to turn off read receipts on Instagram DMs,” said Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Currently, users can’t turn off read receipts on Instagram but can read messages privately if they first turn on airplane mode. However, you will need to avoid tapping new message notifications which is a lot of work.

The new feature that will change this will be under the Privacy and Safety settings of the user’s account, under the “Who can see your activity” options, according to an image shared by Instagram CEO Mosseri.

“Soon, people will be able to choose when to let others see when they’ve read their messages,” wrote Mosseri. 

Unfortunately, both the Meta executives didn’t offer a release window for when that ability will come but we will be on the lookout and update you once the feature is rolled out.

The post Instagram Users Will Soon be Able to Disable Read Receipts in DMs appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

“Rolling out Edit and Voice Threads today. Enjoy!” he wrote. 

Unlike X (formerly Twitter) which introduced the option to edit posts but placed it behind a paywall–making it available to only X premium (formerly Twitter Blue) subscribers, Threads is rolling out this same option for free to all users for five minutes after they’re published 

The edit button is available on both mobile and the web. Meanwhile, while X and other social websites including Meta’s Facebook show users the edit history for transparency, the Instagram text-based app does not, something which is likely to cause misinformation on the social platform. However, edited posts will have a little icon next to the timestamp showing that they’ve been revised.

Since its launch in July this year, the Twitter competitor app has been introducing new features to the platform including voice notes, a chronological following feed, a web app, and a search bar. While launching the platform, Zuckerberg said “The vision for Threads is to create an option and friendly public space for conversation.” He added, “We hope to take what Instagram does best and create a new experience around text, ideas, and discussing what’s on your mind.”

The post Threads Roll Out Edit and Voice Options and aren’t Behind a Paywall appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

Channels are a one-way broadcast tool for admins to send text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls. Channels can be found in a new tab called Updates (which was formerly called Status) on WhatsApp — where you’ll now find Status and Channels you choose to follow — separate from your chats, and communities. The updates shared in the Channels will be kept on the Meta servers for up to 30 days after which they will be deleted.

“We don’t believe Channel updates should have to stick around forever. So, we’ll only store channel history on our servers for up to 30 days,” Meta said in its blog post.

Channels have been built keeping privacy in mind. Therefore, following a Channel won’t reveal your phone number to the admin or other followers. Who you decide to follow is your choice and it’s private. Admins will decide who can follow their Channel and whether they want their Channel to be discoverable in the directory or not.

The key features that come with WhatsApp Channels include;

• Enhanced Directory: You can now find channels to follow that are automatically filtered based on your country. You can also view channels that are new, most active, and popular based on the number of followers.
• Reactions: You can react using emojis to give feedback and see a count of total reactions. How you react will not be shown to followers.
• Editing: Admins will be able to make changes to their Updates for up to 30 days when we automatically delete them from our servers.
• Forwarding: Whenever you forward an Update to chats or groups it will include a link back to the channel so people can find out more.

How to create a WhatsApp Channel via the app

• Open WhatsApp on your phone, and go to the ‘Updates’ tab.
• Click on the plus (+) sign and then on ‘New Channel’
• Click on ‘Get Started’ after which the application will give some prompts onscreen
• Finally, give your channel a name and you are done
• Click on ‘Create Channel’ and it will be up and running
• WhatsApp is also offering users a way to ‘customize’ the channel. You can do so by adding a description and icon.

How to create a WhatsApp Channel via the web

• Open WhatsApp web and click the Channels icon.
• Select “Create Channel,” proceed by clicking “Continue” and follow the onscreen instructions.
• Provide a Channel name, you can add a description and icon.
• Select Create Channel.

Creating a WhatsApp Channel is still limited. However, the social messaging platform says over the coming months, they’ll make it possible for anyone to create a Channel.

The post WhatsApp Channels Are Rolling Out Globally, How to Create One appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

Threads let users log in with their already Instagram existing credentials in order to create a profile where their username and verification status will remain the same. The bios on the other hand can still be customized independently.

Meta Platforms CEO, Mark Zuckerberg while launching the platform said “The vision for Threads is to create an option and friendly public space for conversation.” He added that “We hope to take what Instagram does best and create a new experience around text, ideas, and discussing what’s on your mind.”

Zuckerberg shared on his account that Threads “passed 5 million sign-ups in the first four hours.” after the official release.

Users on the Twitter-like app are allowed to post short updates, including text up to 500 characters; links; up to 10 photos; and videos that are 5 minutes long. The Twitter killer has a minimal interface that is very similar to that of Twitter with the options to like, comment, repost, and share threads.

The app’s listing first appeared earlier this week with it being described as a platform where communities can come together to discuss everything from the topics they care about today to what’s trending.

“Whatever it is you’re interested in, you can follow and connect directly with your favorite creators and others who love the same things — or build a loyal following of your own to share your ideas, opinions, and creativity with the world,” the description reads.

The launch of Threads comes at a time when Twitter users are in dire need of an alternative following several chaotic changes on the platform by the company’s boss Elon Musk including the recently imposed temporary rate cap on how many tweets a user can read in a day.

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The post Meta Officially Launches THREADS, Twitter’s Rival App Available in 100 Countries appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.