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WhatsApp introduces AI chat themes, live photos, and stickers for enhanced user engagement.
Zoho Arattai’s growth challenges WhatsApp in India’s homegrown messaging app market.
New updates combine fun features with end-to-end encryption for secure, interactive communication.
WhatsApp is enhancing its competition for Gen Z and Gen Alpha users. Arattai, a messaging app from the Zoho family of applications, has been steadily growing in popularity, prompting WhatsApp to add enjoyable, youthful features that enhance expression and interaction. Does this mean a changing landscape for the messaging app space in India?
Arattai, an Indian-made messaging app created by Zoho, has witnessed a considerable increase in its user base in recent times, reflecting the growing preference for locally produced goods and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat project.
According to Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu, the app was able to attract 100 times more traffic within three days, and the number of new users doubled from 3,000 to 350,000 per day.
A new version of WhatsApp has added fun and practical features to facilitate communication and engage users with new changes that can enhance their messaging experience:
The update now allows you to share Live Photos (on iOS) and Motion Photos (on Android) directly. The files will include both music and movement in the photographs, providing a more engaging experience when sharing photos with friends and family.
Users can now use Meta AI to create fully customizable chat themes based on text suggestions. This is one method to make the texting experience more engaging.
The upgrade also enabled Meta AI to generate unique, creative backgrounds for video conversations, as well as photographs and videos recorded right within a chat.
Also Read: Zoho Introduces Vani, an AI-Powered Visual Workspace for Modern Hybrid Teams
This is an essential tool for students and professionals who use WhatsApp to share documents on the go. This new native functionality enables Android users to scan, crop, store, and email documents directly from the app.
Users no longer require a third-party app to scan and distribute documents. Please note that this feature is already available on WhatsApp for iPhone users.
Users can now quickly find group chats by searching for the name of any contact who is part of the group.
The update includes three new thematic sticker sets, namely Fearless Bird, School Days, and Vacation.
The entire rollout of these functionalities is scheduled to occur gradually in the following weeks. While some may regard these functions as gimmicks, Meta aims to engage younger users with these powerful AI capabilities.
This, combined with end-to-end encryption for messages and calls, gives WhatsApp a significant advantage over the home-grown Zoho Arattai app.
Also Read: Arattai vs WhatsApp: Key Differences You Should Know
WhatsApp's new updates are a clear message to users that the platform aims to remain the best in terms of global users, incorporating fun features and AI technologies, while maintaining strong security at the same time.
Although Zoho Arattai is a locally produced app and may attract a significant number of users in India, its long-term survival will depend on innovation and user adoption.
Given WhatsApp’s massive network, feature depth, and brand trust, it’s likely to continue outshining rivals, though localized apps like Arattai could carve niche markets if they capitalize on unique offerings.
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What is Zoho Arattai, and how popular is it?
Zoho Arattai is an Indian-made messaging app by Zoho. It recently gained rapid traction, attracting hundreds of thousands of new users daily, reflecting growing interest in homegrown apps under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
How is WhatsApp responding to Zoho Arattai’s growth?
WhatsApp is launching AI-driven chat themes, live and motion photos, innovative video call backgrounds, document scanning, and fresh sticker packs. These features are designed to keep young users engaged and ahead of domestic rivals such as Arattai.
When will WhatsApp's new features be released?
The release of WhatsApp's new feature will be incremental and will occur over the next few weeks. Users can expect to receive updates on both iOS and Android, allowing them to enjoy AI themes, improved photo sharing, and document scanning.
Will Zoho Arattai pose a long-term challenge to WhatsApp?
Although Arattai has exhibited significant growth in India, WhatsApp's enormous global user base, trust in the brand, and richness of features make it challenging for competitors to overcome. Arattai can carve out niches if it continues to innovate.
Are WhatsApp's updates secure for users?
Yes, each new feature is accompanied by end-to-end encryption for messages and calls. Use Can to enjoy AI-powered upgrades, fun stickers, and live photos without compromising your safety and privacy on the platform.
