All articles tagged with #group chats
WhatsApp is rolling out three group-chat enhancements: richer polls with hidden voter names, end-time voting, and a 15-minute edit window; @all mentions for instant alerts (admins in large groups); and an option to create a new group from an existing one via 'Create a similar group.'
The Verge’s guide explains how to use Signal for community organizing while protecting privacy: start by setting up a Signal account with a username, then enable privacy features (hide your phone number, enable screen locking and screen security, enable incognito keyboard, and set disappearing messages by default). You can disguise the app icon on Android and hide your IP by enabling Always relay calls. For private group chats, require admin approval for new members and vet newcomers (in-person exchanges or multiple members vouching). For semi-public groups, you can invite via a link but restrict posting. In open public groups, post carefully—If you wouldn’t say it in court, don’t say it in one of those chats—and remember that end-to-end encryption protects message content but not metadata. Use safety numbers to verify contacts, nicknames to keep track of trusted people, and features like view-once media to reduce metadata. An update notes the iOS “hide screen in app switcher” feature.
Google Messages is rolling out new features and redesigns, including enhanced group chat mentions, MLS encryption support, a redesigned read receipt system, camera and link preview updates, and new options for leaving unknown group chats, with features gradually expanding to users.
OpenAI is developing a Group Chats feature for ChatGPT that allows multiple users to share a conversation, with customizable controls for AI interaction, aiming to enhance collaborative workflows. The feature is expected to be released by the end of the year, offering more granular management than similar Microsoft Copilot functionalities.
Microsoft's fall update to Copilot introduces new features including a 'real talk' mode, an optional animated character named Mico, group chat capabilities, and a health-focused version that links to credible sources. The update aims to make Copilot more personal, adaptable, and trustworthy, with enhancements like connecting to external services, memory, and proactive suggestions, primarily available in the US.
A Trump nominee, Paul Ingrassia, reportedly boasted of having a 'Nazi streak' and made racist comments about holidays honoring Black people in private group chats, raising concerns ahead of his confirmation hearing. His past roles and support for controversial figures have also come under scrutiny.
Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian discusses the 'dead internet theory,' highlighting the significant presence of bots and quasi-AI content online, and advocates for a shift towards more human, verifiable social media experiences like private group chats to restore authenticity and engagement.
Meta is rolling out group chat features on Threads, allowing users to create shared conversations with up to 50 followers, with plans to expand messaging capabilities and regional availability, including support for group chats in the EU.
Continua, a startup founded by ex-Google engineer David Petrou, has raised $8 million to develop AI agents that enhance group chat interactions on platforms like SMS, iMessage, and Discord by providing helpful, context-aware assistance and reducing chaos in conversations.
Parents of Gen Z college students are increasingly overprotective, engaging in micromanagement through group chats and social media, which reflects a broader trend of helicopter parenting fueled by technology and anxiety about their children's independence and success.
WhatsApp is testing threaded reply features in its iOS beta, following Android beta testing, which will help organize conversations in group chats by allowing users to view and participate in message-specific threads, potentially launching soon.
iOS 26 introduces several playful and useful updates to Messages, including customizable backgrounds, polls for group decision-making, and automatic translation, making messaging more engaging and versatile compared to iOS 18, while maintaining familiar usability improvements like button placement for easier one-handed use.
Google is rolling out new features across its apps and devices, including enhanced group chat customization in Messages, device-specific shortcuts in Google Home, faster transit payments with Wear OS, extended safety check-ins, new Emoji Kitchen options, and updates to Photos and Android 16, all aimed at improving user experience and device integration.
Meta has announced that Facebook Messenger users can now share HD photos, which in this case means 4K resolution, with less compression and a new "HD" button for enabling 4K sharing. The app will also allow users to share files up to 100MB, up from the previous 25MB limit, and introduce a new album-sharing feature for group chats. Additionally, QR codes and links for connecting with people have been rolled out, with the company stating that these features will be available over the coming weeks.
Android 15 introduces a new feature called Notification Cooldown, which aims to reduce the annoyance of incessant notifications in group chats by making successive notifications quieter. This feature is enabled by default and can be found in the Settings app under "Notification cooldown." While it may not be suitable for those needing urgent notifications, it provides a passive way to differentiate between new alerts and ongoing conversations.