WhatsApp is rolling out a new update for Android users that allows them to mute group notifications for as long as 100 years.
WhatsApp, the popular cross-platform instant messaging service, is rolling out the latest update to its Android version of the app that gives users the power to mute group notifications for more than its current deadline of one year among other minor tweaks. The Facebook-owned messaging application has received immense popularity across the world and recently surpassed 500 million monthly active users. The update version 2.11.230 for Android is the first since the big announcement and extends the mute time of groups to "1 century."
The latest WhatsApp update is not available on the Play Store yet, which means the company is slowly rolling it out to all users. The apk file was listed on its site that gives the extended mute time among other tweaks such as quick camera access and notifications on home screen icon.
WhatsApp users currently have the option to mute notifications from a particular chat group for several time frames, ranging from one day to one year and the option to mute a group for one century is equivalent to silencing the group permanently. Muting a group will stop any sound alerts for notifications for that group, but messages will appear in the notification tray. Users can also disable notifications by opting out of the "Show notifications" feature in the updated version of the app.
Apart from this, WhatsApp update also brings the camera icon besides the voice-message icon. The move suggests the company is bringing its voice messaging and image sharing feature in line together. Users will no longer need to go to "Attach" and choose photo for clicking and sharing an image. It can be done directly from the chat window by confirming the image before sending.
Last month, WhatsApp added hide "last seen" time, profile photo and WhatsApp status through its improved privacy settings on Android. It also allowed users to save and share profile photo and group icon as well as service payment feature that lets users pay for friends' WhatsApp subscription.
The updated version of the app can be downloaded from the company's website and users' needn't uninstall the existing app before installing the new one on Android smartphones.
