WhatsApp Recaps 2021: Loneliness Chatbot, Desktop Audio/Video Calling and More

In a recently published series of tweets, Meta Platforms Inc. (formerly Facebook)-owned messaging and calling platform WhatsApp recapped 2021, highlighting some of the new features introduced and improvements made during the year.

In a year where we were separated by 6 feet or 6 hours, waking up to a message from someone you love always closed the gap. Here's a look at our 2021:

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) December 31, 2021

WhatsApp did its part in helping combat misinformation regarding COVID-19 and, at the height of the pandemic, introduced a Loneliness Chatbot to help users cope with the woes of quarantine.

When quarantine walls closed in, we helped launch a Loneliness Chatbot to keep us all going. pic.twitter.com/vfhGqaegl7

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) December 31, 2021

The messaging platform added another layer to its video calling functionality, allowing users to invite their loved ones to conferences mid-call.

With friends across time zones, we wanted to make sure schedules never got in the way of making time for your loved ones with new joinable calls. You might miss the hellos but you won't have to miss the goodbyes. pic.twitter.com/szWjSzZyOF

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) December 31, 2021

A much-awaited feature finally landed this year in WhatsApp allowing users to skim through voice messages at up to 2x speeds. End-to-end encrypted video and audio calls made their way to desktops on both Mac and PC, and the WhatsApp Desktop app made it into public beta.

When phone screens couldn't hold all the love we wanted, the launch of desktop calling turned into fullscreen joy. pic.twitter.com/M24kMNqcZx

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) December 31, 2021

To give users more control of their chats and enhance privacy (and better compete with Snapchat), WhatsApp rolled out Disappearing Messages and the ability to send View Once media.

Even though most people don’t particularly like the way they sound in voice messages, WhatsApp now lets users who do want to hear themselves preview voice messages before sending them.

To help the storyteller in all of us be heard, now you can preview voice messages before you send them.

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) December 31, 2021

WhatsApp added tons of new sticker collections throughout the year, including a set featuring pop sensation Billie Eilish, to allow users to better express themselves,

Maybe you found yourself swiping for The One a little more this year. We created sticker search and suggestions so you can find the perfect stickers without the endless search.

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) December 31, 2021

WhatsApp has delivered over 100 trillion end-to-end encrypted messages in the past five years, and this year, the platform added end-to-end encryption to chat backups as well.

Finally, the messaging platform proceeded to wish everyone a happy New Year.

Wishing everyone a million reasons to start new groups, surprise video calls from your favorite people, and plenty of voice messages to 2x through in 2022!

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) December 31, 2021