WhatsApp for Android Now Gives You 4,096 Seconds to Delete a Message for Everyone

WhatsApp's long-requested and only recently introduced Delete for Everyone feature looks set to get an update. The most recent WhatsApp beta (v2.18.69) for Android now gives users up to 4,096 seconds (68 minutes and 16 seconds) to delete a message for everyone in a chat. Currently, in stable builds, the window a user has to delete a message for everyone is 420 seconds (or 7 minutes). Depending on how well it's received, this extension can be expected to make its way to the stable build soon. It is also reportedly making its way to the iPhone app soon.

The change was first spotted by WABetaInfo, the WhatsApp update tracking site. The site notes that v2.18.68 WhatsApp beta version for Android includes an update to the Stickers feature that disabled by default - a slight modification of its icon. Since the news was reported on Friday, WhatsApp has released two more beta versions for Android (v2.18.70 and v.2.18.71), and WABetaInfo has spotted new disabled-by-default features like Locked Recording (locking the voice message record button into place when recording), and sticker pack size display.

Another feature WhatsApp was recently spotted in testing, but once again disabled by default, shows whether a message has been forwarded. The Forwarded Message label shows up on top of message if it has been forwarded from another, or same chat. The move if nothing classifies forwards, and could be amongst the first steps to combat spam and fake news. The feature was spotted in WhatsApp beta (v2.18.67) for Android. The same version also brought Stickers to Android - but can't be used.

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Android P May Bring Stricter Call Blocking, First Developer Preview Tipped for Mid-March Release

Android P will be the next big upgrade to Google's popular mobile operating system, with an official announcement expected at Google's I/O event later this year. New developments now reveal that Android P Developer Preview 1 may be released as early as mid-March 2018. We can expect the release to happen around March 14, i.e, Pi Day. Additionally, Android P is reported to come with "enhanced call blocking features" that might help users filter spam and unknown calls effectively.

As per a tweet by prolific tipster Evan Blass, Android P Developer Preview 1 will be available for eligible users around mid-March. Some users have speculated that it could be around Pi Day (March 14) considering the software could have a "Pie" moniker. While he does not mention any other details, we can expect the stable build of Android P to be available in the second half of 2018.

Separately, a report by XDA Developers states that Android P might be bringing enhanced call blocking to the native dialler app. AOSP commits, added by a Sony engineer, spotted online show certain new criteria that will allow users to block calls from different sources. The report says these include cases when "The phone number is not in your contacts list", "The phone number is not disclosed by the caller (Private), "The phone number is from a pay phone", "The phone number does not have any caller ID information (unknown/ unidentified)."

The report also claims that the options will appear only if the mobile carrier allows them. Additionally, it is also said that call blocking would not be applicable while making an emergency call. While the feature hasn't yet been merged into the AOSP of Android P, chances of it making it into the final build are highly likely.

Previously, reports have stated that Android P will get features such as native support for iris scanning, support for notch design, native call recording, and ability to hide signal strength (for carriers).

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