WhatsApp has started making a new widget available for Android devices, allowing users to record voice messages without needing to open the application beforehand. This shortcut directs the user instantly to the recording screen.
Features of the new shortcut
According to WABetaInfo, this new feature is being implemented progressively for those who updated the messenger through the Google Play Store. The main objective of this feature is to simplify the process of sending audio, benefiting those who frequently use voice messages.
Unlike the conventional WhatsApp icon, this new widget does not open a specific conversation. Activating it leads directly to the audio recording interface. After finishing the recording, the user has several options: listen to the content before sending, discard the file, start a new recording, or select the recipients of the audio.
Advantage over the traditional method
The biggest difference lies in reducing the steps required to start recording. Instead of having to access the application and navigate to a conversation, the process can be initiated directly from the phone's home screen.
Installing the widget on Android
This new shortcut occupies, by default, a 3 by 1 space on the Android home screen, although its size can be adapted to the user's preferences. To add it, the procedure involves pressing an empty area of the home screen, accessing the system widget menu, locating the new WhatsApp shortcut, and finally positioning it where desired.
Gradual distribution of the feature
Due to the gradual nature of the distribution, not all users will have immediate access to the feature, even if they keep the application updated. This phased release is a common practice adopted by WhatsApp to gradually increase the availability of new functionalities. For those who rely on voice messages as their primary means of communication, the widget offers a more direct route to start recordings, bypassing the usual flow within the messenger.
