WHAT ever happened to “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”?
WhatsApp is adding another feature no one asked for in its seemingly never-ending pursuit to do just about everything – and make a moment’s peace impossible.
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It’s not the first time I’ve moaned and threatened to quit WhatsApp over worthless changes.
I’ve previously complained about the overhaul of “last seen…” (RIP) which was replaced with the animated speech bubble along the bottom.
Now the Meta-owned platform is making calls even more annoying.
Leaked screenshots obtained by WABetaInfo have revealed that a voicemail-like feature is in development.
So, if you miss a call the person can leave a voice message for you to pick up what they had to say later.
Firstly, I think this is quite pointless to have voicemail because we already have it with standard calls and, from what I can gather, not many people use them (or like them).
Secondly, you can just leave voice notes anyway, so what’s so different about this?
For me, it feels like yet another intrusion into my life which is constantly switched on due to WhatsApp, making people think I’m always available at a tap of a button.
So, once again I edge closer to the temptation of quitting WhatsApp entirely to rein in how reachable I am.
A simple text message would suffice, though even those have things like dreaded read receipts now.
You could argue I can just ignore the voicemail – and other messages – but it’s not quite as simple as that.
It’s pretty hard to set boundaries on messaging apps because everyone assumes you have your mobile with you at all times (especially as a technology journalist…) so you feel obliged to respond, especially with family.
As this new voicemail nonsense is only in beta testing right now there is a small glimmer of hope that WhatsApp bosses may decide not to go ahead with the idea.
But I have little faith they will given how many other features no-one wants have come to reality before.
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