WhatsApp introduces voice message widget for Android

WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature for Android users that introduces a dedicated home screen widget for voice messages. This 3x1 widget allows users to record and send audio notes directly from their home screen without needing to open a specific conversation first.

The feature is currently being distributed to beta testers using WhatsApp version 2.26.30.2 via the Google Play Store. The widget provides a recording interface with controls to pause, discard, or confirm messages. Once a recording is confirmed, the app presents a selector to choose the recipient.

Additionally, Meta-owned WhatsApp has begun a gradual rollout of usernames, identified by the '@' symbol. This feature is intended to allow users to be contacted without revealing their phone numbers, though a phone number is still required for the initial registration process.