WhatsApp is working on a new feature using which users "Request" the other party's location. The Request location button could soon be baked into chats, solving the friction that occurs when asking a newbie WhatsApp user to send their whereabouts and guiding them to the location feature.
Spotted first by Android Authority in WhatsApp's latest Android Beta version 2.26.41.11, the tool resides in the Send location screen. While the legacy options allow users to broadcast their own location, the new addition caters to the other side of the conversation by letting users ask a contact where they are.
Upon sending, when a user taps the new option, WhatsApp generates a "Location request" card in the chat feed. Rather than sending a plain text message asking someone where they are and making it an impromptu tech support session, users can just ask and get the location in a jiffy,tes
That said, the feature still appears to be under development, and the overall recipient experience is unconfirmed. However, given WhatsApp's location workflow, it's likely that tapping the received request card will launch the location-sharing interface, allowing users to instantly share their coordinates. This bears a striking resemblance to the approach taken by Apple's iMessage.
Image Credit: Android Authority
Image Credit: Android Authority
To reiterate, since the feature is still in development, we don't know when it may officially roll out. However, considering it has been spotted at long last, it may roll out to select Beta testers by the end of next month.
Speaking of which, WhatsApp recently rolled out message scheduling to Beta testers, which may also soon roll out to a wider user base. The platform has also been hard at work securing itself, as WhatsApp could stop working on older phones.
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