WhatsApp Web gets global media player, will soon be available to all mobile users

The new global audio player is available with the WhatsApp Desktop beta version 2.2204.5 update. (Image Credit: Pixabay)

WhatsApp just released the global media player , which allows iOS beta users to listen to voice notes in the background. Now, the ability is being expanded to desktop users, which gives hope that it will soon be available to everyone.

The feature enables WhatsApp users to listen to an audio recording even when they have left the chat wherein the audio message was shared. The feature was first spotted for WhatsApp beta users on iOS last month. A report by WABetaInfo has revealed that WhatsApp has introduced the new global media player for WhatsApp Desktop beta 2.2204.5. This feature will let users listen to a voice note while scrolling through a different chat.

According to the screenshot shared by WABetaInfo, when a user plays a voice note and goes to another chat window, WhatsApp continues to play the voice note. It displays a new audio player bar at the bottom of the chats list. This audio player bar allows users to play, pause or cancel a voice note. Users can also follow the progress of the voice note using a moving grey bar shown just below the new audio player.

In terms of availability, the WhatsApp feature tracker reports that the new global audio player is available with the WhatsApp Desktop beta version 2.2204.5 update. However, according to WABetaInfo, certain WhatsApp Desktop beta users who are using the app’s version 2.2204.1 beta may also be able to use it.

This news comes only a few days after the messaging app was reported extending the time limit for the ‘Delete for Everyone’ feature. The current time restriction is one hour, eight minutes, and 16 seconds, but WhatsApp may soon expand it to more than two days.