WhatsApp has announced the launch of two new features on its platform. WhatsApp will now feature the much-awaited picture-in-picture support. Additionally, users will be able to set texts as status messages on the app. Thie new features will be available on both Android and iPhone smartphones. The Facebook-owned instant messaging app has been trying to bring in many new features on the app recently. One of the most talked about things has been the ‘WhatsApp for Business’ feature which will let companies have verified accounts to chat with their customers. Here is what the new features are all about.
When it comes to the WhatsApp picture-in-picture support, users will be able to resize the video calling window. You will also be able to move the video to a corner if you want to multi task. WhatsApp had reportedly started testing the PIP feature, on Android smartphones in July this year. Ever since then, many mobile applications have brought this popular feature of PiP mode on their platforms. Even the recent Apple iPhones too support this new service.
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If we talk about the other new feature, it is the ability to write text-only updates as your WhatsApp status. Previously, users could only be allowed to put their pictures and video as status updates. However, you could have had a text overlay if you wanted to write something.
In the latest version of stable WhatsApp build, users will be able to select the background colour and add texts. For ANdroid mobiles the version is v2.17.323 and for iOS devices, it is 2.17.52. Similar to the picture statuses, the text status too will stay for a day, that is, 24 hours. Though the features started to roll out slowly in August but are now generally available on all the stable builds.
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Apart from these, WhatsApp has announced the launch of a Business oriented functionality, which maybe a paid feature in future. This is Facebook’s attempt to generate revenue from the messaging app. Also, in India, WhatsApp is reportedly planning to launch a UPI based payments system.
