In a continual effort to enhance its user experience, WhatsApp is gearing up to introduce a polling feature within its Channels. Over the past few years, the messaging app has expanded its feature set significantly, with additions like Communities, Channels, and the capability to share high-resolution media in Status updates. However, some fundamental functionalities, including polls, were notably absent from Channels. After more than two months of anticipation, it seems that the polling feature is finally beginning to take shape, making its way to the beta channel.
According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.2.11 has introduced the polling option for some beta testers within Channels. The polls feature can be found on the chat attachment page, marked by a paper clip icon. Notably, the polls icon exhibits a different color this time, appearing green instead of the traditional yellow.
Despite the color change, the functionality of Channel polls remains consistent with the earlier versions seen in 1-1 or group conversations. All votes are anonymized, ensuring the privacy of individual voters. Creators of polls will not have visibility into individual votes, providing an additional layer of confidentiality to the polling process.
The emergence of the polling feature on the beta channel signals positive progress after an extended developmental phase. While its presence is confirmed in the beta version (2.24.2.11), there’s no absolute assurance of its availability for all beta users. However, the trend suggests that the polling feature is inching closer to a stable release on the Meta-owned chat app.
Simultaneously, another WhatsApp beta update (v2.24.2.12) has been released via the Play Store, as reported by WABetaInfo. This update primarily addresses a bug related to Status updates, allowing users to once again see thumbnails next to the contact’s name. Although not a major overhaul, this bug fix ensures the smooth functioning of a long-supported feature that had encountered issues following a previous beta update.
Looking at the broader picture, the WhatsApp development team has been active in the early days of 2024, delivering several beta updates to testers. After a period of exclusivity on iOS, advanced text formatting options have made their way to beta users on Android. Additionally, there are indications that WhatsApp is working on enabling users to customize the default green theme, initially on iOS.
With the continuous stream of updates and new features, WhatsApp is poised for a dynamic year ahead. The messaging app, already one of the most popular globally, seems set to keep users engaged with a slew of enhancements, making 2024 potentially one of its busiest years yet. As WhatsApp evolves, users can anticipate a richer and more interactive communication experience on the platform.