A host of new features heading to WhatsApp could fundamentally change how we rely on popular apps for sharing music, images, making video calls, and more.
WhatsApp has had an incredibly busy past 18 months. Fresh from a Facebook acquisition, the company has not only introduced end-to-end encryption and in-app voice calling, but, according to new reports, will introduce three new key feature sets that could fundamentally change how we rely on other apps to share music, images, or make video calls.
While there presently isn’t a pipeline nor an expected delivery date, work done by enterprising app decompilers has revealed the planned introduction of three new features which could be headed to the app in the near future.
Read: Top 5: Tips and tricks to improve your WhatsApp experience
Targeting the growing popularity of Apple Music, the success of Snapchat and the monopoly platforms such as Skype exert over video calling, WhatsApp – with over 1 billion active monthly users – is uniquely placed to integrate a host of features under one banner.
Riding the Apple Music wave
While Apple Music has yet to challenge the likes of Spotify for total domination, the facts remain that Cupertino’s music offering is quickly capturing a multitude of consumers shortly after its launch thanks to its strong focus on ecosystem, and thankfully its upcoming redesign.
Files found with beta versions of WhatsApp have pointed to the existence of a forthcoming music sharing feature which would directly tap into Apple Music. WhatsApp music sharing would enable users to quickly share songs stored on their phones, while Apple Music subscribers will be able to exchange tracks available on the service with one another.
The introduction of an Apple Music sharing feature could rapidly introduce many WhatsApp users to the service, and is exactly the social push Apple has been longing for. Apple first introduced its failed Ping social network, and later scrapped the concept in favour of Connect, the company’s portal for Apple Music subscribers to stay abreast of developments surrounding artists they enjoy.
WhatsApp music sharing could quickly become the dominant means through which users exchange online tracks with one another, rather than resorting to third party services and multitudes of different vendors to exchange tracks.
Read: WhatsApp‘s latest update will bring music sharing, big emoji, and more
Taking on Snapchat
If you thought SpaceX‘s $12 billion USD valuation was cool, wait until you hear that Snapchat is valued at $18 billion USD. In context, the app which inserts a dog filter over your face is valued at a greater amount than the organisation pioneering the use of reusable rockets.
Whatever your thoughts on the above, it seems Snapchat is here to stay. Code decompiled in a recent build of WhatsApp revealed the presence of Snapchat-style image editing features; precisely what WhatsApp could use to fuel a rivalry with one of the world’s most prominent image-based messaging apps.
Reports indicate that WhatsApp could integrate a drawing feature through which users could exchange doodles with friends in a similar manner to Line. While the feature certainly lacks the allure of filters, the update brings a renewed emphasis for users to remain in-app rather than to resort to a competing service to exchange custom images.
Read: WhatsApp tipped to receive new Snapchat-style image editing features
Hello and goodbye, FaceTime
WhatsApp made a splash late last year when it introduced the ability to conduct in-app voice calls, which can function over Wi-Fi instead of a cellular connection. However, it seems that this feature was the precursor to a larger idea.
Leaked renders earlier this year showcased the presence of video-calling features in WhatsApp, which would function similarly to Apple’s FaceTime video calling option for iOS devices, or the presence of Skype on mobile as well as the desktop.
Should WhatsApp choose to introduce a video-calling feature, it could rapidly become the most used on the planet. While Skype accommodates an estimated 280 million monthly active users, FaceTime is estimated to process 15-20 million calls per day. Though not a direct comparison, that number pales in comparison to WhatsApp, which reportedly sees over 50 billion messages exchanged per day.
The latter could easily oust FaceTime thanks to its strong cross-platform presence, whereas Apple’s offering is strictly limited to iOS devices such as iPhone, iPad, iPod, and Mac.
Read: WhatsApp rumoured to launch new video calling feature
A reach extending its grasp?
New features heading to WhatsApp might well ensure disruption in the way we use several extant services such as Apple Music, Snapchat or FaceTime, though the world’s favourite instant messaging client isn’t out of the woods.
The emergence of such features runs parallel to its parent company Facebook‘s darling child Messenger, which continues adopts feature sets – such as payment solutions, voice calls, and even bots – at a far more rapid rate.
If Facebook had any desire to supplant the popularity of WhatsApp, it might as well have already done so. Yet, the opportunity for Facebook remains to hedge its bets and monitor the popularity of features in the latter, so as to ensure a cleaner and more friendly experience on the former.
Read: Facebook Messenger starts testing WhatsApp-style end-to-end encryption
Have your say!
What are your thoughts on the reported features heading to WhatsApp? Should the instant messaging client remain as lean as possible, or become a true platform? Share your opinion with us in the comments below!
Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
