WhatsApp has had a bumper 2016, but the updates just keep on coming! We’re rounding up three exciting new features that will debut on the platform!
WhatsApp has had a tremendously exciting year. Fresh from introducing a litany of updates which has made chat far more fun, the Facebook-owned app looks to leap into 2017 with a roaring start.
While Facebook might be cultivating WhatsApp alongside its homegrown offering, Messenger, the company has treated the application as somewhat of a darling in a garden of roses – features continue to reach the service as Facebook itself prepares to capture the next billion people set to come online.
Read: 5 Tips and tricks to improve your WhatsApp experience
While some of those features – such as Facebook’s attempt to harvest data from the app to improve its user experience on the web – have landed the company in hot water, a majority of the platform’s new features have been well-received.
However, there’s still more to come – and we have three updates in mind that we’re tremendously excited to see launch within the coming months.
Without further ado, let’s get to them!
In-app video-calling
Main article: WhatsApp prepares to unveil Video Calling on Android, now in beta
In truth, the news that video calling would make a debut on WhatsApp has been around for a while; we first caught whiff of the update back in 2015, where an early preview build of the service leaked out.
It’s now 2016, and in-app video calling is now present in WhatsApp’s official Android beta, indicating that a general release is not far off. Designed to supplement the introduction of in-app voice calling and voicemail, video calling will further challenge the dominance of rival platforms such as Messenger, FaceTime, and Skype among others.
We still don’t know precisely when in-app video calling will make its debut, but we imagine that the likes of FaceTime and Skype will have a major fight on their hands when the feature eventually arrives.
WhatsApp ‘Status’ – Snapchat-style Stories
Main article: WhatsApp reportedly begins testing new Snapchat Stories-style feature, called Status
The introduction of its own ‘Stories’ feature won’t be the first time WhatsApp has taken a parting shot at Snapchat; earlier this year, the platform introduced Snapchat-style image editing as well as the ability to send and customize GIFs.
Now, as part of Facebook’s growing foray into video, WhatsApp will reportedly benefit from its own ‘Stories’ feature, named ‘Status’. While it might share a name with the text-driven status option already available in the app, ‘Status’ stories will reportedly consist of images and video that will last for twenty-four hours before expiring.
With pressure mounting from the likes of Facebook’s Messenger, Instagram, and now WhatsApp, how long will Snapchat be able to stand on its own two feet? Time will tell!
Two-factor authentication
Main article: WhatsApp begins rolling out two-factor authentication to secure your account
While many cried out at Facebook’s decision to use WhatsApp to harvest user data and build a better online platform, WhatsApp has actually been the beneficiary of an important security update this year; the introduction of end-to-end encryption which secures all chats between conversing parties.
Now, user accounts will become that much more secure with the arrival of two-factor authentication, which is now in beta. While signing in on a new device, users will be able to set a six-digit passcode from which they can add another layer of security to their account.
The end implication will mean that users won’t have to worry as much about their account being accessed by a malicious third party; something most of us will be able to sigh a breath of relief over.
Have your say!
What are your thoughts? What are you most looking forward to seeing arrive on WhatsApp’s platform in the near future? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
