You can now bug your WhatsApp group chats with an @all ping

WhatsApp has introduced a new feature that allows users to ping all members of a group chat with the @all command. This function is similar to those found on platforms like Discord, Slack, or Microsoft Teams, and is designed to ensure that important or time-sensitive messages are seen by everyone in the group. However, the definition of what constitutes important or time-sensitive is likely to differ among groups, so users may want to avoid using the @all command in chats that receive frequent baby and pet photos.

To prevent abuse of the @all feature, WhatsApp has implemented certain restrictions. For groups with more than 32 members, the @all capability will only be accessible to administrators. Additionally, users have the option to mute @all pings in their notification settings, even if the group chat is muted.

Other updates to WhatsApp include improvements to polls. Users can now set an end time for votes, and there is an option for anonymous voting. The poll creator will also have a 15-minute window to edit their questions in case of typos or the need for clarification.

Finally, WhatsApp has streamlined the process of creating a new group chat from an existing one. Instead of adding members individually, users can now split off into a side conversation with a single tap, simplifying the process.