Emoji update for WhatsApp: Messenger redesigns well-known smileys

WHATSAPP

July 23, 2024 at 09:15

WhatsApp is making a change to well-known emojis. After an update, they should appear more lively in the future.

• WhatsApp currently only offers static emojis.
• Only the heart has an animation if you send it individually.
• In the future, well-known smileys such as the laughing face will also be provided with an animation.

So far, WhatsApp only has static emojis and no animated ones. The only exception to this are the heart emojis. If you send a single red, green or yellow heart, it will start beating after a while. In the future, even more emojis will be given an animation.

The messenger is currently testing animated emojis in the beta version 2.24.15.15 for Android phones, reports the fan blog WABetaInfoWhatsApp uses the vector-based graphics format Lottie for this. According to WABetaInfo, however, not all emojis are animated, only some – such as the laughing smiley, which is often used in group chats. Emojis for which no animation is stored continue to appear purely static in the chat.

WhatsApp tests animated emojis

According to the fan blog, WhatsApp wants to improve the user experience with the new feature. The animations may also prevent misunderstandings. Many emoji gestures are often misinterpreted. The animation can help to better understand the meaning.

The feature is still in the test phase and is only available to a few users. It remains to be seen when the animated emojis will be released to everyone. They briefly appeared in a beta version of the messenger a year ago, but were then apparently discarded.

Another change in the beta version for Android phones shows that WhatsApp is willing to roll out animated emojis this time. If you find the chat too busy with all the animations, you now have the option to turn off animations in the settings.

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