Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL; DR
- WhatsApp is working on a new “community” function.
- Judging by the strings that were revealed in an APK teardown, the function is still in progress.
- It is unclear whether it is a feature of a social network or an integrated community chat room service.
WhatsApp users can look forward to many features to come, from support for multiple devices to a more private messaging system. However, the company is apparently working on a new “community” feature.
Seen from XDA developer During an APK teardown of beta version 2.21.21.6, the feature is detailed in several new strings that suggest it could be a new social element within WhatsApp’s larger chat framework. However, there is no specific indication of what the feature is or how it will work in WhatsApp. The string descriptions also raise more questions than answers.
A string indicates that communities use an invite link system that allows others to join. Users can also share these invitations in QR code form. Another supports this and reads: “Anyone with WhatsApp can follow this link to join this community. Only share it with people you trust. ”This suggests that any WhatsApp user with this invitation could become“ participants ”in a community.
Like groups, communities have administrators. Several settings are also available to these users. You can use the strings to “allow messages forwarded many times in the community,” change the description of a community, or ensure that only administrators can send messages in a community. Alternatively, administrators can allow attendees to change community descriptions and more.
WhatsApp community: what could it be?
Even so, it remains unclear how communities will differ from WhatsApp groups in terms of functionality. As XDA developer suggests that the two features seem to coexist. Interestingly, Telegram shows how two group-style chats can coexist in the same app.
Telegram allows users to create groups for smaller, private gatherings, but it also has a channel feature to send messages to a larger audience. Users from across the app can join channels through invitations or links, while channel administrators have powers similar to WhatsApp community administrators.
While it would make sense for WhatsApp to counter any of its competitor’s more unique features, there isn’t enough information to confirm that WhatsApp communities will function like Telegram’s channels.
What do you think WhatsApp’s community function could be? Let us know in the comments below.