Here’s the rewritten article in the tone of Jimmy Carr, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, and Lee Evans.
Typing, Typing, Everywhere… But on WhatsApp? Not So Much
Ah, the joys of instant messaging. You see, we’ve all been there, haven’t we? Trying to have a conversation, but someone on the other end is slower than a Sunday roast… and just as dull. But in most communication apps, at least you know when they’re typing away, tediously crafting a response that’s about to put you to sleep faster than a warm glass of milk.
But WhatsApp? No such luck, old chap! They’ve somehow managed to hide the "typing" symbol in the most obvious place… up at the top of the screen next to the chat participants. It’s a bit like trying to sneak a furtive look at the person typing; you’re constantly cricking your neck to see when they’ll finally finish!
Other Messengers Doing It Better
Now, I’m not one to complain (oh, okay, I am), but other messengers seem to have it sorted. You know, the ones who actually want to make chatting a user-friendly experience, rather than a guessing game. I mean, if you use Apple’s Messages or Facebook Messenger, for instance, the typing indicator is there, right under your nose, in plain sight… right above the text field! Genius, innit? It’s as if they actually care that you know when someone else is responding!
Good News for WhatsApp Users, Finally
But fear not, my WhatsApp-loving companions! After an eternity, WhatsApp is finally catching on. (And by that, I mean someone had to hit them over the head with a rolled-up newspaper until they got it.) Yep, they’ll be relocating that darn typing symbol to where it belongs… in the text field. Oh, blessed relief!
According to reliable sources, this innovation first appeared on the beta version of WhatsApp on Android. Apparently, they’re testing this new setup on a special group of guinea pig users before unleashing it on us all. Wise move, WhatsApp, after all the years of playing hide and seek with typing indicators…
More Coming Soon
Of course, we all want to know when we can expect these changes for all WhatsApp users. Patience, me friends, patience! Or, at the very least, continue using WhatsApp at your peril. For our Swedish counterparts at M3, you can bet their WhatsApp user experience is less of a rollercoaster ride now. Lucky dogs!
Thanks for joining us on this merry little discussion about typing indicators. Long may your conversations flow easily, knowing exactly when to expect the other person to finish writing…
In most modern communication apps, users can easily track when someone else is typing, allowing them to pause and wait for the other person to finish their message. However, WhatsApp has placed this feature in a less-than-ideal location, resulting in potential delays and miscommunication.
This is how the other messengers do it
In contrast, most other popular chat programs, such as Apple’s Messages or Facebook Messenger, prominently display the typing symbol directly above the text field where users are currently typing. This strategic placement enables users to instantly notice when their conversation partners are composing a message. Conversely, WhatsApp has historically positioned this symbol at the top of the screen, adjacent to the names of all chat participants, often going unnoticed by users.This will be the case with WhatsApp in the future
Fortunately, this is set to change. According to 9to5Google, WhatsApp is revamping its typing indicator to mirror that of its competitors. The revamped icon will now be displayed within the text field, drawing attention to the fact that someone is typing. This alteration will undoubtedly improve the chat experience by minimizing potential delays and miscommunication. A Twitter user has published a screenshot showcasing the new design, clearly illustrating the relocated typing indicator symbol, represented by three dots.
Currently only in beta version
The updated typing indicator is currently exclusive to the beta version of WhatsApp on Android devices, and only accessible to a select group of users. WhatsApp is taking a cautious approach to introducing this change, rigorously testing the new layout before wider implementation. As reported by WABetainfo in October 2024, this innovation was initially described as a “redesigned typing and recording indicator” for both iOS and Android platforms.
Although it remains uncertain when Meta plans to introduce this feature to the broader WhatsApp user base, the fact that it has already begun rolling out to an expanded circle of testers suggests a promising development in the near future.
This newly introduced change resolves a long-standing issue, addressing the inconsistent placement of the typing indicator. The new implementation promises to enhance the chat experience by providing users with a more seamless and intuitive way to track when others are typing.
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This article first appeared at our sister publication M3 and was translated and localized from Swedish.
