WhatsApp is a constantly growing and evolving app, with changes and new features being introduced with amazing frequency. But change doesn't always mean there are new things to try; sometimes there are lessons to be learned from the past.
And that seems to be precisely what happened. An update is rolling out to WhatsApp users that reverts a recently introduced design change. So what's up?
In the last few days alone, WhatsApp users have been greeted with a new look for their contact list. The redesign saw the arrival of new "Frequently Contacted" and "Recent Chat" options, and it's a change that hasn't been well received.
WABetaInfo WhatsApp experts and fans asked their readers what they thought of the change. The tweets they responded to were far from brilliant, with responses ranging from "not good" to "that's horrible."
Now WhatsApp has apparently seen the bug out of its way and is reverting back to the old look of the contact interface.
Ch... ch... ch... change.
WABetaInfo doesn't claim to have helped change WhatsApp's mind and give people what they want, but it's likely that comments from other sources were very similar. As a result, the contact list becomes a simple alphabetical list, supplemented by an indication of the number of contacts.
The rapid change of heart only underscores the importance of beta testing to gauge user reaction to features, settings, and interface options. Users who contribute such feedback can be absolutely critical in shaping the future direction of an app.
If you are part of the WhatsApp beta program, use the Play Store app to get the latest update which should bring you to version 2.22.5.9 of the app and restore the familiar contacts interface. You may not see the update or changes right away, so you may need to be patient while it rolls out.
Via WABetaInfo