New feature in WhatsApp: Early users are already seeing a colorful surprise

WhatsApp is getting into the festive spirit. In the latest Android beta, users can now see a new emoji feature.

WhatsApp has introduced a new feature in its latest Android beta version 2.25.35.11, designed to get users in the holiday spirit. As reported by the portal “WABetaInfo,” select beta users can now experience a colorful confetti animation when they use certain emojis in response to messages.

The feature was first introduced in an earlier 2024 version and is now returning just in time for the new year. The animations are purely decorative and intended to offer users a playful experience.

As in previous years, the confetti animation will only be available for a limited time. This time limit is intended to ensure that the feature is perceived as a special highlight of the holiday season. 

WhatsApp: These emojis trigger the confetti animation

In addition to the popular confetti bomb emoji, which is now directly available in the reaction bar, other festive emojis also support the new animation. These include:

• Confetti bomb
• Party face
• confetti ball
• Champagne glasses
• Bottle with a popping cork

Each of these WhatsApp emojis generates the same vibrant confetti animation. Users can thus select the appropriate emoji depending on the occasion and creatively emphasize their messages.

Technology behind the animations: Lottie Framework

The confetti animations are built with the Lottie framework, an advanced tool for creating high-quality, resource-efficient animations. 

Thanks to Lottie, the animations remain lightweight and do not affect the app’s performance or the device’s battery life. Furthermore, they are scalable, ensuring they are always displayed sharply on various screen sizes and resolutions.

The WhatsApp feature will be rolled out gradually.

The new feature is currently being rolled out gradually to Android beta users on version 2.25.35.11. Some users of the stable version may also already have access to the animations. It is expected that more and more users will gain access to this festive new feature in the coming days.

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