WhatsApp is preparing an update which is rumoured to bring a number of new features to the world’s most popular messaging app.
The Facebook-owned messenger is believed to be working on a feature very similar to SnapChat’s hugely-successful Stories.
This would certainly not be the first that Facebook has tried to imitate SnapChat, as demonstrated by its own bloated Messenger app – not to mention the Stories lookalike that recently appeared in Instagram.
For those who don’t know, SnapChat Stories are a series of ephemeral videos or photographs that vanish after 24 hours and document your day and activities.
Media outlets can also use Stories to showcase stories, videos or other content.
WhatsApp appears to be designing a very similar feature that will let users share photos and videos as part of a dedicated Status.
Twitter tipster WABetaInfo shared a screenshot of the upcoming feature on iOS, although Android users are also expected to get the new functionality in the future.
The Status feature is expected to launch with WhatsApp version 2.17.5, which the prominent leakster claims, will be available via the Apple App Store in next few days.
According to reports, the feature has been in development since November 2016.
WhatsApp currently allows users to set a Status, however, this is a single line of text designed to let people know whether you are available to talk or not.
The addition of ephemeral photos and videos will considerable flesh-out the feature.
The leaked screenshot also teased a new Privacy settings menu. It’s highly-likely that this will be used to let WhatsApp users set who can watch and interact with their Status updates.
WhatsApp Web is also set to get a new update.
The Facebook-owned messenger is expected to bring the online chat client up-to-date with some of the features that have been added to the mobile apps on Android and iOS.
To that end, WhatsApp Web users will soon be able to Star, Delete and Forward multiple links and documents. Something that previously was only possible with media.
WhatsApp is also preparing to introduce the ability to revoke, recall or edit messages that have already been delivered to contacts within the chat app.
The feature would allow users to edit – or completely revoke – messages sent by accident, as well any texts with cringe-inducing typos or content.
And that could save WhatsApp users a lot of embarrassment.
WhatsApp is currently trialling the new feature within its iPhone beta software.
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