WhatsApp has announced a new set of chat customization features, aimed at enhancing user experience and personalizing individual conversations. The Meta-owned messaging platform, which has often trailed behind Telegram in terms of features, is now offering chat-specific themes, customizable chat bubble colors, and personalized backgrounds for separate conversations. These new features are currently available to Android beta users but are expected to roll out globally soon.
WhatsApp’s Chat-Specific Themes: A Beta Feature
The new chat-specific themes allow users to personalize each chat with a variety of 20 different colors and 22 textured themes. When a user selects a theme, the message bubbles will automatically adapt to the chosen color scheme, allowing for a tailored look in every conversation. While this feature is still in beta, users can expect it to reach the stable version in the coming months.
Telegram’s Longstanding Lead in Customization
For years, Telegram has been known for offering a rich array of customization options, making it a favorite among users who enjoy personalizing their chat experience. Telegram allows users to select from a vast number of custom themes, even enabling them to create and share their own. In addition, Telegram’s features like animated backgrounds, font customization, and theme sharing have set a high bar for messaging apps.
WhatsApp vs. Telegram: Customization Comparison
With the introduction of chat-specific themes, WhatsApp is catching up to Telegram’s already robust customization features. However, Telegram still leads the way with more in-depth options, such as the ability to independently customize text size, bubble shapes, and much more. WhatsApp’s new update, though promising, offers fewer choices compared to Telegram’s near-limitless customization options.
Personalization Meets Privacy on WhatsApp
One of the key differences between WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger is privacy. On WhatsApp, the customization of chat themes is private to each user, meaning that each participant in a conversation can set their own theme without affecting the other’s view. This privacy-focused approach is a subtle but important distinction, allowing users more control over their personal messaging environment.
Why Customization is Important for Messaging Apps
Customization in messaging apps is more than just a design feature; it’s about enhancing user experience and personal expression. By allowing users to adjust backgrounds and message bubble colors for different chats, WhatsApp is giving its users more ways to tailor their conversations. This move aligns with the growing trend of personalization in tech, where people want more control over how they interact with digital platforms.
WhatsApp’s Recent Updates: A Step Forward
Beyond chat customization, WhatsApp has been steadily introducing new features, including disappearing messages, multi-device support, and encrypted backups. These improvements suggest that WhatsApp is responding to user feedback and working to close the gap between itself and Telegram. While Telegram remains the more feature-rich platform, WhatsApp’s updates show that it’s not far behind.
Telegram: The Feature-Rich Alternative
While WhatsApp has made strides, Telegram still offers more advanced functionality. Features like channels, bots, and the ability to share files up to 2 GB make Telegram an attractive option for users who require more from their messaging platform. However, for casual users who value simplicity and privacy, WhatsApp’s gradual improvements may be enough.
When Will These Features Be Available to All?
Currently, WhatsApp’s chat-specific themes are in beta testing for Android users, with no official date for a global release. However, given the ongoing improvements and updates, it’s likely that the feature will be available to all users within a few months.
#WhatsApp vs #Telegram: The Customization Race
While Telegram has long been ahead in terms of features, WhatsApp is slowly catching up with its new updates. Customization is becoming a key battleground between the two apps, with WhatsApp’s chat-specific themes offering users more control over their conversations. As both platforms continue to evolve, users can expect even more personalization options and improvements in the future.
Source: WABetaInfo
