WhatsApp May Get New ‘Imagine’ Chat Shortcut for Quick Image Generation via Meta AI: Report
A new Imagine shortcut could be available in the attachment window on WhatsApp.
Advertisement
Highlights
- WhatsApp is testing a new Imagine shortcut in the beta version of the app
- The feature is reported in WhatsApp for Android version 2.24.12.4
- It uses Meta AI to quickly generate images instead of group chat prompts
The AI feature was spotted in WhatsApp for Android version 2.24.12.4, as per the report
Photo Credit: Pexels/Torsten Dettlaff
WhatsApp is testing a Imagine shortcut that will let users generate AI-powered images, according to a report. The instant messaging app has been reportedly experimenting with artificial intelligence (AI) features such as AI-generated profile photos and stickers for a while now. As part of its AI initiatives, Meta introduced a chat assistant called Meta AI across its apps including WhatsApp in select regions in 2023, bringing conversational capabilities and image-generation features to users.
AI Images on WhatsApp
According to a report by WhatsApp update tracker WABetaInfo, the instant messaging platform's shortcut for the image generation feature was spotted in the WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.12.4. It reportedly allows users to generate AI-powered images using Meta AI quickly on the app.
Notably, Meta AI already has image-generation capabilities, but those can only be accessed via text prompts by tagging the AI chatbot with “@Meta AI” in group chats. With this rumoured feature, it is speculated that it may enable quick image generation for those who frequently communicate via AI images.
Imagine shortcut quick AI image generation on WhatsApp
Photo Credit: WABetaInfo
Advertisement
As visible in the screenshot, a new quick shortcut called Imagine is seen in the attachments option through which Meta AI's image generator capabilities can be summoned. As per the report, it is present in a beta build of WhatsApp
The report further suggests that it may only be available to users who already have Meta AI. The chatbot is currently only available in select countries including the US, Australia, Canada, South Africa and more. However, Meta is testing the WhatsApp chatbot in India as well. The report further suggests that quick image generation via a shortcut is still in development and is not available even to beta testers of WhatsApp for Android. It is speculated to be introduced to a wider audience sometime in the future.
Advertisement
Other AI features on WhatsApp
Meta's instant messaging platform is also testing out an AI-powered Profile Photos feature that reportedly allows users to generate AI profile pictures. Users need to provide a prompt with the description of the image they wish to generate on a new page titled Create AI Profile Picture, as per the report. It then reportedly generates a customised photo matching the provided description. This feature was spotted in WhatsApp for Android app version 2.24.11.17.
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best foldable phone you can buy in India right now? We discuss the company's new clamshell-style foldable handset on the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.
Advertisement