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WhatsApp Begins Holiday Rollout With Missed‑Call Messages, Upgraded Meta AI, New Status Tools

The company confirms a phased global release through the holiday period.

Overview

  • Callers can now leave short voice or video notes tied to unanswered calls, positioned as a modern alternative to voicemail.
  • Voice chats gain emoji reactions, and group video calls automatically spotlight the active speaker to clarify conversations.
  • Meta AI inside WhatsApp now uses model capabilities from Midjourney and Flux and can animate any photo into a brief clip.
  • Desktop apps for Mac, Windows, and Web add a consolidated media tab to search shared files, with cleaner link previews in chats.
  • Status and Channels receive interactive stickers, music lyrics, and question prompts for direct engagement, with features rolling out in phases worldwide.