WhatsApp Beta Adds Playback Speed Controls for Voice Messages
Apr. 23, 2021WhatsApp is finally giving the option to let usersincrease the playback speed in voice messages. As firstspottedbyWABetaInfo, the feature is live on the latest WhatsApp beta build bearing version number 2.21.9.4 for some users on Android.
The feature was first spotted under development in WhatsApp beta 2.21.6.11 last month. WhatsApp is now gradually testing the feature with its beta testers. Once available, you’ll see the playback speed instead of the profile avatar in the voice message bubble. In the previous test, WhatsApp was testing the possibility of placing the playback speed control over the profile picture preview. Take a look at the current implementation below, courtesy ofWABetaInfo:Image: WABetaInfo
Coming to the functionality of the feature, the report says thatthere will be three playback speeds – 1x, 1.5x, and 2x. That means you can only speed up the voice note and not slow it down. You can tap on the playback speed symbol to change the current speed of the WhatsApp voice message.
It looks likeWhatsAppis making a server-side update for testing the feature, as it is not available on my phone running the same WhatsApp beta 2.21.9.4 build. We could expect wider availability over the coming weeks and stable release soon after.
Subin writes about consumer tech, software, and security. He secretly misses the headphone jack while pretending he’s better off with the wireless freedom.
