WhatsApp may soon let you add sound to stickers, share with others

WhatsApp wants to make its chat more interactive. The messaging platform is reportedly working on what it calls “sound stickers.” So, currently, stickers work as a simple format for visual expressions that illustrate a person’s mood, reactions, or sometimes memes or jokes. But the purported upcoming sound stickers will play a sound when they are shared in the chat. They may respond multiple times when tapped.WABetaInfo has spotted the feature in the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.41.3 update, available on the Google Play Store. According to the report, sound stickers will be end-to-end encrypted like WhatsApp’s other messages. So, what a user shares with another will remain confidential, and even Meta reportedly won’t have access to them. The feature is currently under development and not yet available. WhatsApp could allow beta testers to test the update in the near future. But as of now, WhatsApp hasn’t announced when the feature will roll out.How sound stickers workThe report reveals that sound stickers look similar to current stickers but include a short audio track. Once the stickers are sent, they would appear in the conversation, extending the experience beyond standard stickers. As with the stickers, they likely also appear with an audio icon, indicating that there is something to hear. To play the sound sticker, they would have to tap it.Moreover, the report suggests users be allowed to create their own sound stickers. In other words, the feature will let users combine stickers with audio clips. This could give users the ability to turn a video into an animated sticker, aka a GIF and add sound to it. However, these sound stickers would respect the silent mode. Won’t disrupt anyone’s peace. Users can also control the sound of stickers using its volume icon, and WhatsApp will remember their preference for other sound stickers until they change it.In other WhatsApp news, the messaging platform is also rolling out scheduled messages to some Android beta testers. The feature lets users schedule text messages, links, photos and videos to be sent at a specific time. Users can schedule messages from 10 minutes to two weeks in advance, and WhatsApp will deliver them automatically even if the app is closed or the phone is offline. Users can also manage or delete scheduled messages before they are sent. The feature is expected to reach more beta testers over the coming weeks.- Ends