WhatsApp is about to get a healthy dose of musical nostalgia. Apparently inspired by the MySpace profiles and MSN Messenger statuses of yesteryear, the messaging giant is piloting a new feature that enables users to share their favorite songs in a status update.
As of now, this is a possibility only for some beta users, but we never know if it will officially launch in the future for everyone.
A Modern Take on Musical Expression
For anyone who remembers the emo days of MySpace or the "What I'm Listening To" feature on MSN Messenger, this update is bound to hit home. According to TechRadar, WhatsApp's upcoming feature lets users attach music tracks to their status updates, offering a creative way to share moods, feelings, or even a passive-aggressive dig through lyrics.
The feature appears to draw partially from Instagram's music integration while breathing new life into the nostalgia of past online trends. It's a feature promising not only self-expression but a hint of nostalgia.
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How the Music Status Feature Works
Alongside crop, sticker, text, and markup icons will be the new music icon inside the status update editor, WaBetaInfo reports. It will give one access to an extensive WhatsApp music catalog that mimics Instagram's library. That catalog is also updated frequently to ensure that new music can be easily found for sharing.
For video status updates, the music runs as long as the video clip. For photo status updates, audio clips are only up to 15 seconds. The user can select a specific portion of the song for use; thus, this feature is excellent for emotional or thematic messaging.
The experience is intuitive, making it easy to navigate and select a track.
Instagram Integration on the Mix
This is interesting when picking music—a tap on a track lets listeners check out a user's Instagram, gently cross-promoting Instagram to Meta in an ecosystem all connected.
Forcing users' eyeballs further might nudge people to give some music-related content a good view of other services.
Today, in this world where social media is booming, music has become an easy and great way for people to express themselves. With WhatsApp's new feature, the ability to express feelings or even make a statement without even having to type is available. This might be the next breakup anthem, motivational tune, or feel-good jam for them; the point is, that users get to reach their contacts at a more profound level.
In addition, the functionality brings WhatsApp up to speed with the latest multimedia messaging trends, staying ahead of the curve in changing social media.
When Will Music Status Updates Come?
Although the feature remains in beta mode, its early appearance for certain users indicates an imminent wider deployment. Analysts believe that this music status update feature will appear for all users within weeks.
WhatsApp's upcoming music status update feature combines nostalgia with current functionality. It plays on the reminiscence of MySpace profile and MSN Messenger statuses by instantly connecting to the emotional feelings users experience with regard to music.
Last month, Whatsapp teased the arrival of a new built-in dialer for iPhone users. Before that, the messaging platform also hinted at bringing polls and "Add Yours Stickers."
