According to The Verge, WhatsApp is attempting to make “voicemails a thing of the past” by rolling out a new feature called missed call messages. This tool prompts users to record a voice or video note immediately after a call goes unanswered, depending on whether they placed a voice or video call. The feature is part of a broader update that also includes sending reactions during voice chats and automatic speaker highlighting in video calls. Furthermore, following partnership deals signed earlier this year, Midjourney and Flux AI models are now integrated into WhatsApp’s image generation tools. The platform is not building a traditional, integrated voicemail system but is instead repurposing its existing chat recording functions to serve a similar purpose.
The Voicemail That Isn’t
Here’s the thing: this isn’t voicemail. It’s a slightly more convenient way to send a voice note. And that’s fine! Voice notes are wildly popular on WhatsApp. But calling this a voicemail killer feels like marketing spin. A real voicemail system is a dedicated, server-side mailbox attached to your number. This is just a chat message that gets a privileged placement in the conversation. The contact sees it when they open the chat, not when they check a dedicated voicemail inbox. It’s a subtle but important distinction that basically means they’re improving their own product, not replacing a legacy telecom feature.
Convenience vs. Clutter
Now, the convenience factor is real. Fumbling to find the microphone button after a call fails is a minor friction point they’ve solved. But I’m skeptical about the video message prompt after a missed video call. How often do people want to record a video message on the spot? It seems like a feature that could lead to awkward, unprepared clips. And will these messages get lost in the sea of other chats? A traditional voicemail has its own isolated space. This just becomes another message in the thread, potentially adding to notification overload rather than streamlining communication.
Meta’s Bigger AI Play
Let’s be real, the more interesting part of this update for Meta is the addition of Midjourney and Flux to the AI image tools. That’s a big deal. It signals a serious push to make WhatsApp a hub for more than just messaging—it’s becoming a playground for Meta’s AI ambitions. The call reactions and speaker highlights are nice polish, but the AI partnerships are the strategic move. They’re bundling incremental chat improvements with much more powerful generative AI features, hoping the latter becomes a reason to stay glued to the app. So, is this update about voicemail? Not really. It’s about making WhatsApp stickier and more capable, one feature at a time.
