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WhatsApp is currently testing a new interface that brings Status updates directly to your main chat list
For years, these ephemeral posts were tucked away in the "Updates" tab, alongside channels and other noise.
This new layout, which was spotted in WhatsApp beta, aims to make viewing friends' stories a lot more frictionless.
The design features small icons at the top of the home screen.
Users could either tap on the icons or pull them down to expand the view, making it look strikingly similar to the horizontal trays found on Instagram and Facebook
According to WaBetaInfo, by placing the updates front and centre, the platform ensures users are less likely to miss what their contacts share.
The move is likely a strategic play to increase engagement across the app.
Since WhatsApp had previously discussed introducing advertisements within the Status feature, a higher viewership is essential for the model to succeed.
Currently, the feature is only available to a select group of beta testers on Android and iOS
There is no official word on when, or if, the specific layout would be rolled out to the general public.
However, the shift suggests Meta is keen on prioritising the user experience across its entire ecosystem of apps.
For those who find the "Updates" tab a bit too cluttered, the change could be a welcome shortcut.
On the other hand, users who prefer a clean chat interface might find the encroaching stories tray a bit too intrusive.
