What to know
- WhatsApp is working on a new Group Events feature to allow members of a group to create and manage events.
- Recent leaks suggest that events will be highly customizable, allow RSVPs, audio/video calls, as well as enter into your calendars to receive updates and notifications.
WhatsApp has been working on its Group Events feature for a while. Ostensibly, it will allow members of a group to create events, schedule video and audio calls in groups, respond to the events, and get reminders for them. This is a major update that will make it easy for groups and communities to organize gatherings and events and stay updated about them.
First spotted by WABetaInfo a few months ago, we now have additional updates about what the Group Events feature will look like, thanks to TheSpAndroid.
Firstly, Group Events will be available to all groups, even if they’re not a part of a larger community. The ability to create an event appears to be every group member’s prerogative, allowing multiple events to exist side by side in a group.
Information about all the events will be available from within the group’s info page.
Once created, the events can be edited as required. Everything from the title, description, date, location, etc. can be changed.
The members of the group will receive the notification when such changes take place. Members can RSVP and respond to the event if they want to join. The event page will allow users to see who’s going, who’s not, and who’s yet to respond.
Video as well as audio calls can be scheduled within the event with a ‘WhatsApp call link’, ideal to get together members to discuss the details of the event.
WhatsApp will also send reminders to members joining the event. Additionally, users will be able to add the event to their calendar so they get updated about the events closer to the day.
In case the event is beset by difficulties and needs to be cancelled, WhatsApp will allow for that too. Cancelled events will have a line struck through the title, and a red text that says ‘Event canceled’.
It’s likely that we may see a few more changes, as is often the case, before the feature is rolled out properly to users. So stay tuned for more updates on WhatsApp’s Group Events feature in the future.
