The latest features of instant messaging apps

When was the last time that we thought of getting an SMS pack? The question is a telltale sign of lost ‘text messaging’ trend that has been overtaken by bevy of Instant Messaging (IM) applications including WhatsApp, Skype, WeChat and Viber. Certainly, the popularity of IM applications has almost mimicked the graph of hockey stick where number of users has escalated from 10Mn in 1998 to over 1Bn in 2019. With this rise in popularity also stems the cut throat competition due to which IM apps are constantly experimenting with new facets to offer renewed features for users such as voice messages, image and video sharing and emojis. For example, it was not long ago when WhatsApp got a makeover and added the ‘blue ticks’ aspect as one of its messaging features. Similarly, other instant messengers like Hike and WeChat too are crafting their own set of changes to leave no stone unturned in dominating the market.

Although, the marketplace of IM applications has crossed quite a few milestones, but the technology being moving at frenetic pace, motivates us to expect something more out of these messaging giants. So, keeping in mind how these messengers still deserve betterment at updating themselves, I would hereby like to share the list of features that one would want to see in a perfect messenger, as prepared by Economic Times.

1. In-built Lock: An in-built auto-lock on messengers will act as a rescue in the case when somebody takes our phone and considers it absolutely normal to go through our messages on an IM. This feature will keep snoopers at bay and data will be safe from prying eyes.
2. Retracting Content: “Think before you hit send.” Based on this idea, the feature of content retraction will make it possible for the sender to retract the image, video or a text that has been sent inadvertently.
3. Adding to groups—with permission: Wouldn’t it be just so much better if we were asked before being added to a group? It’ll save users the trouble of being in a group we have no interest in and also from hundreds of notifications.
4. Encrypted Messages: Once we have this feature incorporated in all the IM apps, it will allow us to experience a benefit where the text-sent disappears from the receiver’s phone automatically after they read it.
5. Birthday and event reminders: We would want chat messengers to please steal this feature from ICQ and Facebook.
6. Sharing large files: With this feature, users can easily share files from the mobile and would not skip to a file sharing website or email to allocate a large file.
7. Money transfer: This would act as breakthrough feature especially in the case where we have no access to ATM or debit/credit cards. If messengers incorporate this, it’ll enable our friends or family to help us by sending instant money.
8. Language Translation: Imagine us talking to a friend or business partner where the person on the other side accidentally sends us a message in their native tongue. If the IM has an in-built translator we will be able to quickly switch the message to our native language and hence understand it.