WhatsApp's new feature may finally let you chat without sharing your number, may allow creation of a unique handle like Instagram
Launched back in 2009 as a simple status update app, WhatsApp has come a long way from being a quiet disruptor to becoming the go-to messaging platform for over 2 billion users globally. In 2014, it was snapped up by Meta (then Facebook) for a whopping $19 billion, marking one of the biggest tech acquisitions ever. Since then, WhatsApp has added a steady stream of features while sticking to its clean, no-nonsense interface.
And now, it's gearing up for one of its most significant privacy updates yet: the ability to hide your phone number in select chats.
WhatsApp is working on a major privacy update, and it's one users have been asking about for years. The app is gearing up to introduce usernames, which means you could soon start chatting without revealing your phone number.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Τι είναι το ChatGPT για το οποίο μιλάνε όλοι;
courses AI
Spotted in a recent beta build by WABetaInfo, the feature is still in testing, but it's a clear sign that WhatsApp is actively developing the interface and rules around it. It's not live for everyone just yet but if all goes well, a public rollout might not be too far off.
What's Changing on WhatsApp?
Soon, WhatsApp will introduce usernames, allowing you to create a unique handle, similar to what you see on platforms like Telegram or Instagram. Instead of needing your phone number, others will be able to find and message you using this new username. This could be especially useful in group chats or when connecting with people you don't know well.
To keep things secure and user-friendly, WhatsApp may set a few rules for usernames:
Each must include at least one letter.
Usernames can't start with 'www'.
Only lowercase letters, numbers, underscores, and periods are allowed.
Once your username is accepted, you'll even get a fun confetti animation as confirmation.
If you ever change your username, your contacts will be notified via a system message, similar to how updates about profile photos or phone numbers are currently handled. However, it's still unclear whether WhatsApp will give you the option to hide your phone number from existing contacts. What we do know is that new users who don't have your number will only see your username.
WhatsApp is also working on a username availability checker, expected to roll out later as part of an update for WhatsApp Web.
There's no official release date yet, but the feature seems to be in its final testing phase. Once launched, it could significantly improve privacy by letting users chat without revealing personal numbers. If you've been hoping for a more private way to connect on WhatsApp, that option may be coming soon.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
28 minutes ago
- Hans India
Elon Musk Vows to 'Rewrite Human Knowledge' Using Grok AI, Slams Existing AI Data as ‘Garbage'
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk is setting his sights on an ambitious new goal for his AI company, xAI: rebuilding the entire corpus of human knowledge using the latest version of its AI chatbot, Grok. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Musk criticized current AI models for being trained on what he called 'garbage' data and unveiled his plan to retrain Grok using a revised dataset. 'We will use Grok 3.5 (maybe we should call it 4), which has advanced reasoning, to rewrite the entire corpus of human knowledge, adding missing information and deleting errors,' Musk shared. 'Then retrain on that. Far too much garbage in any foundation model trained on uncorrected data.' Musk's goal is not just about refining Grok's capabilities—he wants to reshape how AI models are built, trained, and aligned with truth. Launched earlier this year, Grok 3 was introduced as the 'smartest AI on Earth,' boasting performance ten times stronger than its predecessor. The model is accessible via xAI's platforms, the Grok app, and to X Premium Plus subscribers. One of the more controversial elements of Musk's announcement involves his call for user input. In an appeal to the X community, he invited followers to contribute 'divisive facts' to help train Grok—facts that may be politically incorrect but, as Musk emphasized, are 'nonetheless factually true.' Musk founded xAI in 2023 to challenge established AI giants like OpenAI. He has often accused leading models, including ChatGPT, of harboring 'woke biases' and distorting facts to fit certain ideological perspectives. With Grok, Musk wants to break away from that mold and create an AI assistant grounded in what he considers cleaner, more accurate information. At the core of Grok's development is xAI's Colossus supercomputer, a powerful system built in less than nine months using more than 100,000 hours of Nvidia GPU processing. Grok 3 uses synthetic data, reinforcement learning, and logic-driven techniques to minimize hallucinations—a common flaw where AI chatbots fabricate responses. Now, as Musk and his team prepare to roll out Grok 3.5—or Grok 4—by the end of 2025, the focus is shifting toward using advanced reasoning and curated content to create a more reliable foundation for machine learning. With this bold move, Musk is not just tweaking another chatbot. He's trying to challenge the entire approach the tech industry has taken toward artificial intelligence—and possibly redefine what AI knows as 'truth.'
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Neetu Yoshi IPO opens June 27, price band fixed at Rs 71-75. Check details
The initial public offering (IPO) of metallurgical engineering company Neetu Yoshi will be available for public bidding from Friday, June 27 and the company has fixed a price band of Rs 71-75 for this issue. The company aims to raise Rs 77.04 crore (at the upper end of the price band), with its shares proposed to be listed on the BSE SME platform. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The World's Most Stunning Blue Flag Beaches Ranked: Top 25 List! Read More Here are the key details you need to know: Neetu Yoshi IPO size The issue size is 1,02,72,000 equity shares at a face value of Rs 5 each with a price band of Rs 71 - Rs 75 per Share. As part of the equity share allocation structure, up to 29,20,000 equity shares have been reserved for the anchor investor portion. The Qualified Institutional Buyer (QIB) category may be allocated up to 19,52,000 equity shares. Live Events A minimum of 14,65,600 equity shares will be allotted to Non-Institutional Investors (NIIs), while retail individual investors (RIIs) will receive not less than 34,14,400 equity shares. Additionally, up to 5,20,000 equity shares have been earmarked for the market maker category. Net proceeds from the Neetu Yoshi IPO The net proceeds from the IPO will be utilized for the setting up of a new manufacturing facility and for general corporate purposes. Book running lead managers of Neetu Yoshi IPO The Book Running Lead Manager to the Issue is Horizon Management Private Limited, and the Registrar to the Issue is Skyline Financial Services Private Limited. About the company Neetu Yoshi Ltd is a metallurgical engineering company manufacturing critical safety spares for railways. The products include mild steel, spheroidal graphite iron, cast iron, and manganese steel (0.2 kg to 500 kg). The Company is an RDSO-certified vendor supplying 25+ critical safety spare parts for Indian Railways, specializing in braking solutions, suspensions, propulsion aids and coupling attachments. The company has established a Class 'A' RDSO-certified manufacturing facility in Bhagwanpur, Uttarakhand, spanning 7,173 sq. meters with 8,087 MTPA capacity. With advanced infrastructure, in-house testing, and a strategic location, the company delivers precision-engineered, high-quality metallurgical products at competitive prices. As a late mover, Neetu Yoshi leverages advanced technology, CNC precision, and cost-efficient processes to gain a competitive edge while developing next-gen railway solutions. Neetu Yoshi financial performance In FY24, the company achieved a revenue of Rs 4,733.42 lakh, EBITDA of Rs 1,718.57 lakh, and a PAT of Rs 1,257.72 lakh. For the nine-month period ended December 31, 2024, the company achieved a revenue of Rs 5,136.08 lakh, EBITDA of Rs 1,684.89 lakh, and a PAT of Rs 1,199.24 lakh.
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
Samsung Odyssey 3D (G90XF) 3D gaming monitor launched
Samsung has expanded its product lineup with the launch of Samsung Odyssey 3D (G90XF), a glasses-free 3D gaming monitor . The company claims that the gaming monitor is designed to eliminate the inconvenience and discomfort traditionally associated with 3D content. The eye-tracking technology is designed to recognize users' eyes even when they are wearing glasses. Samsung Odyssey 3D (G90XF) features Samsung Odyssey 3D (G90XF) 3D gaming monitor uses hree core technologies—eye tracking, view mapping, and a lenticular lens—to deliver immersive 3D experiences. Eye tracking is enabled by a stereo camera mounted at the top of the monitor, detecting and tracking the user's eye movements in real time. The two cameras capture different images, much like human eyes, they can determine the exact position of the user's eyes and distance between the eyes and the monitor in real time. This real-time eye position detection allows Odyssey 3D to deliver a precise 3D image, even when the user moves. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What She Did Mid-Air Left Passengers Speechless medalmerit Learn More Undo Beyond its 3D capabilities, the Odyssey 3D claims to offer exceptional picture quality and fast response times for 2D gameplay. The lenticular lens activates only when 3D mode is enabled by Odyssey 3D Hub, ensuring optimal performance in all scenarios. To address common issues like crosstalk—where misaligned images cause visual discomfort—Samsung employs advanced techniques such as post-assembly calibration, hardware-specific data storage, and a deep learning-based eye-tracking algorithm. Additionally, a specially engineered display cell coating reduces light distortion and glare, further enhancing image clarity.
