๐ Medial Secures Investment on Shark Tank India - Fueling the Future of Professional Social Networking. ๐ฅ
โ
Login
Home
News
Messages
Startup Showcase
Trackers
Premium
Premium Content
Jobs
Notifications
Settings
Try our Valuation Calculator โ
Log In
News on Medial
WhatsApp explores ads in chat app: Report
Livemint
ยท
1y ago
Medial
WhatsApp's head, Will Cathcart, refuted claims that the platform is considering introducing advertisements. Media reports had suggested that WhatsApp, owned by Meta, was exploring options to increase revenue, including displaying ads in chat lists. Cathcart dismissed these reports on X, stating that they were false. Additionally, WhatsApp recently announced the launch of WhatsApp Channels, a feature that allows organizations, sports teams, artists, and thought leaders to provide private updates to users.
View Source
Related News
WhatsApp head Will Cathcart denies reports of chat app exploring ads to boost revenue
Livemint
ยท
1y ago
Medial
Will Cathcart, the head of WhatsApp, has denied reports that the instant messaging platform is exploring the introduction of advertisements to increase revenue. A Financial Times report had suggested WhatsApp was considering adding ads to its chat app. Cathcart refuted these claims on Twitter, stating, "This @FT story is false. We aren't doing this." He also noted that the report misspelled a colleague's name. While there were discussions within Meta (WhatsApp's parent company) about showing ads in WhatsApp's chat screen, no final decisions were made, according to sources.
View Source
WhatsApp Channels crosses 500 mn monthly active users
Economic Times
ยท
1y ago
Medial
WhatsApp Channels, a new feature allowing users to receive updates from people, organizations, and teams that they follow on WhatsApp, has reached 500 million monthly active users in just 7 weeks. The feature operates as a one-way broadcast tool, providing a private way to receive updates within the app. While WhatsApp has denied plans to show ads in main chats, ads may be displayed in Channels or Status.
View Source
WhatsApp said to bring Instagram-like chat theme feature
Livemint
ยท
11m ago
Medial
WhatsApp is reportedly testing a new feature that would allow users to customize their chat theme with different colors for chat bubbles. Currently in development for both Android and iOS versions of the app, the feature would provide users with more control over the visual interface of their chats. The new update would also include an option for manual override, allowing users to choose specific colors for individual chat bubbles and wallpapers. While the feature is still being developed, it is expected to enhance the overall messaging experience on WhatsApp.
View Source
Recent Updates of WhatsApp
StartupTalky
ยท
2m ago
Medial
WhatsApp is testing a log-out feature for users to exit without data loss, offering flexibility without erasing chat history, similar to uninstalling the app. This will aid users needing breaks or fixes. The feature is in beta testing and under internal evaluation. Additionally, WhatsApp launched its long-awaited iPad app, supporting multitasking and devices like Apple Pencil, with end-to-end encryption across all devices, enhancing the user experience for iPad users previously relying on WhatsApp Web.
View Source
Almost a decade after acquiring it, Mark Zuckerberg taps the strengths of WhatsApp
Economic Times
ยท
1y ago
Medial
Mark Zuckerberg is tapping into the strengths of WhatsApp, the messaging app he acquired almost a decade ago. With over 2 billion users globally, WhatsApp has become increasingly crucial to Meta (formerly Facebook), bringing in significant revenue through ads and becoming a cornerstone for business messaging. Zuckerberg envisions WhatsApp as the private social platform of the future, highlighting its potential for intimate conversations and as a primary conversation app. Despite facing competition and regulatory challenges, WhatsApp continues to evolve, offering new features such as channels to attract a wider user base.
View Source
WhatsApp reportedly brings Mac app overhaul: What it means for users
Livemint
ยท
11m ago
Medial
Meta-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp has launched a new version of its app specifically designed for macOS. The company plans to discontinue the older Electron-based application in the next 54 days. Users are encouraged to switch to the new version or utilize WhatsApp Web as an alternative. The new version is built using Apple's Catalyst framework and offers improved performance compared to the older app. Additionally, WhatsApp may introduce a voice chat mode for its Meta AI, enhancing user interactions through real-time voice commands.
View Source
WhatsApp is now using Google drive storage to save chat backup in Android phones
Startup News FYI
ยท
1y ago
Medial
WhatsApp has made a shift in chat backup storage, using Google Drive instead of its dedicated space. As of January 2024, WhatsApp now saves chat backups to Google Drive, eating up storage space associated with the user's Gmail account. However, users can opt not to back up chats to the cloud service and instead use the built-in WhatsApp Chat Transfer tool when switching to a new phone. Additionally, WhatsApp is reportedly working on a hidden "third-party chats" section, allowing users to manage conversations from other messaging platforms within WhatsApp itself.
View Source
Chat-based e-commerce key priority for WhatsApp: Meta India head
Livemint
ยท
1y ago
Medial
WhatsApp is set to prioritize conversational commerce, also known as chat-based e-commerce, in India as businesses use the platform to engage users and convert them into online shoppers. A report conducted by Meta India and Bain & Company found that around 450 million Indian users were not proficient in online shopping, presenting an opportunity for businesses to utilize conversational platforms like WhatsApp to target this subset. With features such as chat-based assisted shopping and in-chat payment functionality, businesses aim to provide a seamless and personalized online shopping experience. Furthermore, around 70% of the surveyed enterprises plan to increase investments in these solutions, including generative AI technology, to enhance customer service and support.
View Source
WhatsApp Brings Flows, Payments & Meta Verified To India
Inc42
ยท
1y ago
Medial
Mark Zuckerberg announced several new WhatsApp services for B2B users in India at the Annual Conversations conference. WhatsApp Flows enables businesses to create custom experiences within chat threads, automating tasks and actions. Additionally, WhatsApp now allows customers to make payments to companies directly within the chat, and Meta Verified, a paid verification badge, is coming to WhatsApp to help users identify genuine businesses. India, with over 500 million users, is a significant market for WhatsApp.
View Source
ChatGPT can now be used on WhatsApp: Hereโs how to get started | Mint
Livemint
ยท
7m ago
Medial
OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT, their powerful language model, can now be accessed as a dedicated bot on WhatsApp. This new feature allows users to text chat with ChatGPT, receive answers to queries, and complete various tasks such as grammar correction and research. To use ChatGPT on WhatsApp, users need to save its number (+18002428478) as a contact and initiate a chat. Unfortunately, image sharing and attachment uploads are not available on this platform, unlike the website and app. However, US users do have the option to call the ChatGPT bot in areas with cellular connectivity but limited internet access.
View Source
Trackers
Active Indian VCโs
OG Capital
Email
With a hands-on approach, OG Capital aims to invest in over 20 promising...
Accel Partners
Email
Early and growth-stage investments in disruptive technology companies with...
Blume
Email
Early-stage venture capital firm investing in technology startups in India. Focus on...
Access All Trackers
Startup Showcase Winners
June 2025
Buddy
Helping your parents when you are miles away
BiteStop
The Pit Stop Your Cravings Deserve
Bloomer
The next generation E-commerce platform
Enter Ongoing Startup Showcase
Top Users
Trending News on Medial
Download the medial app to read full posts, comements and news.
Go to Medial App
Not Now
Know everything thatโs happening in the startup ecosystem, first.
Enable Notifications?
No, thanks
Count me in