Skip to main content

WhatsApp launches overdue formatting features, bringing order to chaotic texts

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support

WhatsApp is releasing several new formatting tools to help you manage those long walls of text in group chats.

Triggering one of the new text formats requires you to enter a certain punctuation mark, followed by a space, and then the words themselves. Hyphens let you create a bullet list. A numeral with a period right after establishes a numbered list. Users can even make block quotes by first hitting the Greater Than arrow on the keyboard and then adding a space. To make inline code, you’ll have to press the accent symbol (which is found below the Esc key on most keyboards) followed by a single space. If done correctly, the messages you enter will be reformatted to your specifications. Otherwise, you’ll just see a bunch of random punctuations.

In total, users now have eight different ways to spruce up their conversations on the platform counting the likes of bold, italic, strikethrough, and monospace from years prior.

WhatsApp's new formatting tools

(Image credit: Future)

Finer details

Meta announced the update on social media and via WhatsApp notification; however, they neglected to mention some of the finer details. Not only are the features present in one-on-one chat rooms but also on the platform’s Channels, according to TechCrunch. The tools are available on WhatsApp for Android, iOS, Mac, and web browsers. Do keep in mind the patch is still rolling out so there’s a chance you may not have it on your mobile device. We didn’t get it on our Android, but luckily, it's currently live on the web version.

If you look closely, you’ll notice that we didn’t mention the Windows desktop app. This is because, for whatever reason, the Windows version lacks these features. It’s a rather strange omission especially when you consider the fact that this update has been in the works since August 2023. You’d think Meta would’ve brought it over PC in that time. So we reached out to the company asking for information on a Windows release. We’ll let you know if we hear back.

While we have you, be sure to join TechRadar’s WhatsApp channel to receive news stories and our latest reviews right on your phone.

You might also like



via Hosting & Support

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Microsoft, Google, and Meta have borrowed EV tech for the next big thing in data centers: 1MW watercooled racks

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Liquid cooling isn't optional anymore, it's the only way to survive AI's thermal onslaught The jump to 400VDC borrows heavily from electric vehicle supply chains and design logic Google’s TPU supercomputers now run at gigawatt scale with 99.999% uptime As demand for artificial intelligence workloads intensifies, the physical infrastructure of data centers is undergoing rapid and radical transformation. The likes of Google, Microsoft, and Meta are now drawing on technologies initially developed for electric vehicles (EVs), particularly 400VDC systems, to address the dual challenges of high-density power delivery and thermal management. The emerging vision is of data center racks capable of delivering up to 1 megawatt of power, paired with liquid cooling systems engineered to manage the resulting heat. Borrowing EV technology for data center evolution The shift to 400VDC power distribution marks a decisive break from legacy sy...

Google’s AI Mode can explain what you’re seeing even if you can’t

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support Google’s AI Mode now lets users upload images and photos to go with text queries The feature combines Google Gemini and Lens AI Mode can understand entire scenes, not just objects Google is adding a new dimension to its experimental AI Mode by connecting Google Lens's visual abilities with Gemini . AI Mode is a part of Google Search that can break down complex topics, compare options, and suggest follow-ups. Now, that search includes uploaded images and photos taken on your smartphone. The result is a way to search through images the way you would text but with much more complex and detailed answers than just putting a picture into reverse image search. You can literally snap a photo of a weird-looking kitchen tool and ask, “What is this, and how do I use it?” and get a helpful answer, complete with shopping links and YouTube demos. AI Eyes If you take a picture of a bookshelf, a plate of food, or the chaotic interior of your junk...

Passing the torch to a new era of open source technology

Web Hosting & Remote IT Support The practice of developing publicly accessible technologies and preventing monopolies of privately-owned, closed-source infrastructure was a pivotal technological movement in the 1990s and 2000s. The open source software movement was viewed at the time as a form of ‘digital civil duty’, democratizing access to technology. However, while the movement's ethos underpins much of today’s technological landscape, its evolution has proven to be a challenge for its pioneers. Hurdles Facing Young Developers Open source models successfully paved a path for the development of a multitude of technologies, cultivating a culture of knowledge sharing, collaboration , and community along the way. Unfortunately, monetizing such projects has always been a challenge, and ensuring contributors are compensated for their contributions working on them, even more so. On the other hand, closed-source projects offer greater control, security, and competitive advant...