WhatsApp to introduce Meta AI widget for home screen access

The new Meta AI widget will offer WhatsApp users direct access to AI-powered conversations and photo editing.


News Desk January 13, 2025
WhatsApp logo is seen in this illustration taken, August 22, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS

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WhatsApp is working on a new feature allowing users to access Meta AI directly from their home screens, bypassing the need to open the app.

This development was discovered in the latest WhatsApp beta version 2.25.1.27 for Android.

The upcoming Meta AI widget is designed to enhance convenience and ease of access. Once the feature is rolled out, users can initiate conversations with Meta AI directly from the home screen. This will eliminate the need to open WhatsApp and navigate its interface to start a conversation.

One of the most exciting features of the new widget is its ability to allow users to quickly capture and share photos with Meta AI. Through this feature, users will be able to ask the AI to assist with tasks like photo editing, content analysis, or answering queries related to the image.

Photo: wabetainfo

Photo: wabetainfo

While the widget will provide quick access to Meta AI, it will only be available to users who already have access to AI-powered chats. Currently, this functionality is limited to certain countries and specific users, meaning that not everyone can access the widget when it launches.

The widget will be listed alongside other available WhatsApp widgets, and users will have the option to add it to their home screens. WhatsApp aims to make interactions with Meta AI more accessible and intuitive, allowing users to quickly initiate tasks like photo editing or content exploration without needing to open the app itself.

WhatsApp is also working on another feature allowing users to create and customise their own AI chatbots within the app. This new tool will enable users to define their AI companions' personality, goals, and tasks, tailoring their behaviour to suit specific needs, such as motivation or organisation.

The Meta AI widget is still under development and expected to be released in the coming weeks. WhatsApp has yet to provide a specific timeline for its launch, but the feature promises to improve the overall user experience by making Meta AI tools more accessible and responsive.

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