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WhatsApp Is Evolving, Here’s What’s Changing

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WhatsApp now offers more than chat — from AI-generated images to personalised updates. Credit: Diego Cervo via Canva.com

For years, WhatsApp sold itself as being simple. There are no filters, no feeds, just messages, end-to-end encryption. And that’s what made it different and why people trusted it. Lately, that has changed; it hasn’t affected everything all at once and tucked into new features layered into updates and hiding between AI-powered replies and business messages that don’t feel casual anymore. What once felt like a stripped-back space for conversation is becoming more like a platform, one that doesn’t just deliver your messages, it also shapes what you do next.

In this article, we will examine how WhatsApp’s latest updates, ranging from generative AI to ad-linked experiences, are transforming it into something more than just a messenger, and why that matters more than most users realise.

Began with a message, and has evolved into everything

WhatsApp was built for conversation. It never had algorithms, filters, bells, and whistles for years. Its simplicity was its strength, but the latest updates suggest that matters have changed in the trajectory of WhatsApp over the years.

  • You can now create AI-generated images, requiring no separate application or sign-up process.
  • You just type a prompt, and the image appears woven seamlessly in your conversation.

It’s a clever, convenient tool, but it’s also a telling feature for the user. WhatsApp isn’t adding features just to impress; it is currently grabbing our attention, wanting to turn casual shots and creative moments into longer time spent inside the application.

Because when users stay longer, other things can follow advertisements, transactions, promotions, and even entertainment. The application might look the same, but it’s not playing the same game anymore. 

A new method to keep you using the app

You are no longer just replying to a message; you are now creating something. You’re not switching applications in order to design a meme, or even bring some ideas; you’re doing it exactly where you’re chatting. It’s the same logic behind adding channels, their status updates, or even shop fronts. If people can do more inside WhatsApp, they’ll spend less time elsewhere.

 This gives Meta more chances:

  • To show you advertisements.
  • To gather behavioural data.
  • Shape the kind of engagement they can sell to businesses.

This isn’t just a move to impress creators or compete with design platforms. It’s a play for your attention and eventually revenue stream generation. 

WhatsApp monetisation plan

If the AI features are designed to hold your attention, then the rest of the picture is much clearer. WhatsApp is shaping into something that Meta can finally monetise at scale, and it’s already begun.

  • Users in multiple countries are not seeing advertisements inside the status tab, Meta’s version of Instagram stories.
  • The business accounts can now message their customers directly with paid messaging tools that are built into channels.
  • Allows creators and brands to broadcast content, and while the future is still being implemented, the direction is unmistakable.

The more you use WhatsApp to view and create interactions, the more value your attention holds, and that value and attention become a space for future advertisements for targeted offers and shopping integrations. Every new tool, from stickers to AI image generation, becomes another reason to keep scrolling and eventually another place for a method to earn. 

Privacy tension is back.

While Signal’s president described WhatsApp as a surveillance ad platform, it came at a time when Meta rolled out its AI assistant more deeply into the application, which prompted new concerns about how much data might be collected and how invisible it might be.

 For many of those users, WhatsApp still carries a reputation for its end-to-end encryption, but as features grow more complex, so do the trade-offs.

  • Generative AI? It works by processing prompts and behaviour.
  • Business messages? They’re part of a paid framework.
  • Status and Channels? They invite passive tracking, even if it feels casual.

The concern is whether the additions in WhatsApp are useful or even entertaining because they might blur the line between convenience and control. And whether users really understand what they’re opting into as well. 

WhatsApp’s identity is changing.

It is still WhatsApp, it has the same logo, the same charts and the same comfort zones. But what you can do inside has begun to multiply. You’re not just replying to a friend anymore.

You might share a quick prompt, catch a promo tucked between replies, or spot a brand update where you’d least expect it. It doesn’t hit you straight away. But scroll by scroll, tap by tap, the old simplicity sort of fades — and what’s left feels… different.

WhatsApp’s slowly turning into something else — part inbox, part assistant, part feed. They’re not trying to force change; all they have to do is keep adding features that will make you stay just a little bit longer, and the rest will happen naturally.

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Inma’s Racing Heart

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Inma from Archez. Credit: Locos de la Colina Facebook page.

Sometimes, running means more than running.

In just six months, Inma from Archez (a small village in the Axarquia region) has completed over 50 races across Andalusia. But what truly makes Inma stand out is her total commitment to causes that matter.

Inma wears her club’s colours (Locos de la Colina club in the Axarquia region) not just for sport, but for solidarity. Over the past few months, she’s taken part in charity races supporting cancer patients, working with organisations that fund research and assist families through the toughest of times.

She’s run for children with special needs, helping raise money for therapies and treatments to improve their quality of life. And she’s supported awareness for rare diseases, giving voice and visibility to families too often left unheard.

Each race she’s run has symbolised far more than participation, far more than endurance and competitive spirit. We’re talking about hope, compassion, and the belief that sport can be a powerful force for doing good.

All in all, Inma reminds us that running isn’t just about crossing finish lines: it’s about showing up for others. Empathy can go hand in hand with a passion for sport — that’s the real lesson.

And that makes Inma not just a runner, but also an inspiration.

Read here more news from Axarquia.

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Bazlama Buzz: Mayor Hooked On Turkish Cuisine

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Mayor of Estepona José María Garcia Urbano cuts the red tape again at Bazlama. Credit: EWN

Bazlama officially swung open its doors on Tuesday, July 15, to a huge crowd of fascinated new diners, eager to see what all the buzz was about. Mayor of Estepona, José María Garcia Urbano, was among them to cut the ceremonial ribbon and try out the flatbreads everyone has been talking about.

Co-Founder Sarah Moravvej explained, “We came across Bazlama in Istanbul and loved the food, the experience, and the whole concept. We felt it was something which was missing on the Costa del Sol.”

“Turkish food and hospitality are exceptional and deserve to be better known, and the Bazlama brand is amazing at transporting you to Turkey and delivering not just delicious Turkish cuisine but a true cultural experience.”

Bazlama is a family business, run by a mother-and-daughter team, drawing from recipes passed down through generations. They work hard to retain family values and make every guest feel like they are being welcomed into a traditional Turkish home. The love and generosity you feel at Bazlama restaurants is something special.

The breads that impressed José Maria García Urbano.
The breads that impressed José Maria García Urbano.
Credit: EWN

The new restaurant in El Paraiso, located on Calle Isla Verde 12, Benamara, close to the Senator Banús Hotel, is Bazlama’s first European venture, introducing its celebrated all-you-can-eat Turkish breakfast to the continent. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm, the restaurant serves a scrumptious breakfast banquet featuring traditional breads, cheeses, jams, hot dishes like menemen scrambled eggs, and the signature bazlama flatbread. Guests can also enjoy gozleme and mezze set menus, paired with Turkish tea, drinks, and cocktails. The authentic flavours, made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including organic produce from a small family farm in Estepona, which create a healthy and delicious dining experience.

The opening has brought 19 new jobs to the area, with plans for more as Bazlama extends its opening hours. Committed to sustainability, the restaurant plans to implement a waste-free model by partnering with local charities. Since its inception in Cesme, Turkey, in 1992, Bazlama has expanded to six locations in Turkey and one in Dubai, with a London branch on the cards for the near future. The Costa del Sol outpost is a big step in the brand’s international expansion, offering a cultural adventure through dishes like acuka spicy red pepper spread and stuffed gozleme.

Sarah and her sister Salmeh have joined the brand’s strong female leadership, and they invite guests to experience Turkish hospitality and become part of the Bazlama family. To reserve a table, call 951 830 136 or follow @bazlamakahvalti on Instagram and Facebook.

José María García Urbano, mayor of Estepona comes to Bazlama.
José María García Urbano, mayor of Estepona comes to Bazlama.
Credit: EWN

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Claptone’s Daytime Dance Fever At Nikki Beach

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Claptone & Mood Sax at Nikki Beach. Credit NB

Nikki Beach Marbella has a very special daytime event coming up – “Sol & Sound”, headlined by the internationally celebrated house music artist Claptone. 

On Friday, July 25, from 1pm to 9pm, the beachfront venue will transform into a hot dance haven under the Mediterranean sun, offering a unique experience with pulsating beats.

Recognisable by his trademark golden mask and a sound that fuses deep house with melodic and atmospheric elements, Claptone will take the decks. The enigmatic DJ, who previously performed at Nikki Beach Saint Barth for a New Year’s Eve celebration, is no stranger to captivating audiences worldwide. This time, he trades the dim lights of nightclubs for Marbella’s sunlit shores for a magical daytime set that’s a rare treat for fans.

Behind the golden mask lies an artist who has masterfully balanced mystery with a shining career. Claptone burst onto the house music scene in the early 2010s, and has become a global force in clubland ever since. His discography includes several studio albums and remixes for artists like Depeche Mode, Elton John, and Dua Lipa. As a festival favourite, he has performed at events like Tomorrowland and Coachella. His “The Masquerade” events, which have become known for their theatrical twist, have gained him a reputation as a leading figure in contemporary house music.

“Sol & Sound” will feature a dynamic lineup besides Claptone, with a back-to-back set by Dann Martin and Frank Osorio, as well as Stan Courtois. To add a touch of sophistication, Mood Sax will deliver a live saxophone performance, giving the day a fresh, elegant feel. It’s said the the beach club will be adorned with golden decoration and shimmering spheres, reflecting the warm tones of the sunset.

Nikki Beach Marbella remains a top destination for those seeking the best in house music, an exclusive atmosphere, and a prime location by the Mediterranean. The venue’s summer lineup is impressive, with upcoming performances by artists like Milk & Sugar on August 1 and David Penn on August 8, and with weekly events such as Catch Us Dancing! and Sun to Sea.

On July 25, “Sol & Sound” invites everyone to dance, relax, and soak up the unique energy of Claptone under the sun. Beds and tables can be booked at nikkibeach.com/marbella for this unmissable daytime party.

Nikki Beach is at Carretera de Cádiz, km 192, Marbella.

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