WhatsApp is testing a new live status indicator feature that uses green dots on profile images to show when users are currently online. The feature is designed to help users quickly identify which contacts are active and available for real-time conversations.
According to reports from WhatsApp feature tracker WA Beta Info, the new capability has been added to the latest iOS version of the app, while similar code has also appeared in a recent Android release.
The feature introduces a new indicator within the chat information screen, making it easier for users to understand whether a contact is available. Previously, WhatsApp displayed a text label below the profile photo to indicate when someone was online.
Currently, the green dot indicator is reportedly limited to the chat info screen and does not appear in the main chat list or inside conversations. This limited rollout could allow WhatsApp to gradually introduce the feature while avoiding excessive exposure of users’ online activity across the app.
The new status indicator could make starting real-time conversations more convenient by helping users know when their contacts are active. However, the feature may also raise privacy concerns, as some users may not want others to know when they are available online.
WhatsApp is expected to provide privacy controls that allow users to disable or manage the visibility of these indicators. If widely released, the feature could become another way for WhatsApp to encourage engagement while giving users more options for managing their online presence.
Meta Explores Expansion into Cloud Infrastructure Business
Meta is reportedly exploring a new business opportunity that could help generate revenue from its massive investments in data infrastructure built to support future artificial intelligence (AI) development.
According to reports from Bloomberg, Meta is working on plans for a cloud infrastructure service that would allow external companies to access AI computing power and models. The potential service could even be offered to other major AI players, including competitors operating in the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence sector.
The move could create a new revenue stream for Meta as the company continues to increase spending on AI development. Meta has committed hundreds of billions of dollars toward AI infrastructure and research over the coming years, making it increasingly important for the company to find ways to generate returns from those investments.
However, the potential shift toward offering AI infrastructure services may also highlight the challenges Meta faces in turning its own AI initiatives into direct profits. The company has made significant investments in data centers and computing capacity as it competes with other technology giants in the AI race.
Meta would not be the first AI-focused company to explore this strategy. xAI has also reportedly moved toward renting computing capacity to external organizations, including competitors, as it seeks additional ways to recover the substantial costs associated with building large-scale AI infrastructure.
The growing trend of AI companies offering access to their computing resources reflects the enormous financial pressure involved in developing advanced AI systems. While powerful infrastructure is essential for AI progress, companies are increasingly looking for additional revenue opportunities to offset the cost of operating massive data centers.
For Meta, expanding into cloud infrastructure could transform its AI investments from an internal capability into a commercial service, potentially creating a new business area beyond its traditional social media operations.
WhatsApp Introduces Green Dot Live Status Indicators for Better User Presence Updates
