WhatsApp will never get rid of text messages, but the truth is that many people prefer to send audio because it is faster to record a voice message than to write it. You can also dictate it with Siri or Google Assistant and correct the transcription.
In 2021, the ability to change the playback speed of voicemail messages was added, along with the ability to preview messages you’ve recorded before sending them.
Now, the messaging app has just added more features that will make the experience of sending audio messages even better.
Some lucky ones had already been able to enjoy these improvements before, but they have finally arrived for all Android and iPhone users. If they don’t appear, make sure to update WhatsApp on your phone.
1. Pause and resume voice recordings
WhatsApp introduced the ability to pause the recording of an audio message in the middle.
Previously, you had to hold down the microphone but ton and say whatever you wanted to say before releasing it. If you made a mistake, you had to start over, and if you had something left to say, you could re-record it or send a second audio.
Now when you swipe the record button up, it turns into a pause button. If you press the pause button, the recording icon will reappear. And if you touch it again, you can continue the message.
So if you touch it, you can pause and resume recording as many times as you want. This means that you will have the opportunity to stop and think before continuing with the voicemail message and finally sending it.
2. Voicemail player outside chat
Until now, you could always listen to an audio message if you opened another application, but never if you opened another WhatsApp chat. This has changed, since it is now possible to listen to messages without having to stay in this chat.
Plus, you’ll be able to pause and resume audio playback with the player that appears at the top of the screen, regardless of the WhatsApp conversation you’re reading. It does not appear if you quit the application.
When you start reading a voicemail and then return to the chat list or another section of the app, you’ll see the player appear. This will stay at the top of the screen and allow you to pause and play the message, as well as close it.
It’s a relatively minor update, but it’s an equally welcome improvement.
3. Waveforms
One of the most obvious changes is the change from the playback bar to the waveform that now appears in audio messages.
Older voicemails will still show the old bar, but newer ones should now show a waveform, a visual representation of the audio that will make it easier to follow.
4. Last reading position
Before, when you stopped listening to an audio in the middle, you left the chat and listened to it again, you had to do it again from the beginning, because the playback was reset.
With the latest update, WhatsApp remembers the position where you paused the message and will resume it at that time when you want to listen to it again.
5. 1.5x or 2x fast reading
When you listen to a voicemail message, you will see an icon appear on the right that says “1x”. If you press it, the speed will go to x1.5 and if you press it a second time, it will go to x2.
This feature is very useful if you want to quickly get the information sent to you via audio, especially people who speak particularly slowly.
It works for forwarded and normal voicemails.
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