Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has announced the launch of several limited-time features to celebrate the festive season and New Year celebrations. These updates, available from December 20 to January 3, are designed to enhance user interaction during the holiday season.
Notable new features include New Year Call Effects, which allow users to make video calls more festive with themes, filters and effects tailored for the New Year. This feature is designed to add a touch of celebration to virtual gatherings.
Another temporary update is animated reactions, which add confetti animations whenever a message reaction is sent or received. This visual enhancement provides a fun way to exchange holiday greetings.
Additionally, WhatsApp has launched a New Year Sticker Pack that contains carefully curated designs and avatar stickers for users to creatively share seasonal greetings or heartfelt messages. This set includes cheerful themed options to suit the occasion.
These features are rolling out globally and will be available to users for a limited time. WhatsApp encourages users to update their app to access the latest additions.
Earlier this month, WhatsApp also rolled out a series of updates to its audio and video calling features aimed at improving user experience ahead of the festive season. The messaging platform shared details of the new feature in a blog post, noting that users have made more than 2 billion calls on the app.
One of the noteworthy updates enables users to select specific participants when initiating a group call. This feature is especially useful for organizing surprise events or sharing details with selected individuals without leaving others in the dark.
Building on features like night mode and basic video calling effects introduced earlier this year, WhatsApp is now adding a wider selection of effects. These include fun options like puppy ears, karaoke microphone, and underwater filters to make video calls even more fun.
WhatsApp also claims to have enhanced the reliability of one-on-one and group video calls. By including higher-resolution video, users can get clearer, sharper visuals during conversations.