Over past months, we have discussed how Facebook and Instagram have ripped-off features from Snapchat and added them to their apps. While there have been no lawsuits (And I don’t think Snapchat can sue Facebook Inc.) These added features have helped Facebook in increasing the user count a lot. Today, WhatsApp –a Facebook-owned company- joines the traditions of copying features of Snapchat.
From the latest update of the app, users will now be able to set Images, GIFs, and Videos as their ‘status.’ The feature was in beta test for some time, but now it is being rolled out to all users including ones on Windows Phone.
The new multimedia Status feature is an awful lot like the one in Instagram Stories. So much so that you can add emoji, text, and doodles on the status Images and Videos. Once the status is up, everyone in your contact list who is not excluded specifically will be able to see and reply to the status within the app.
Even more interestingly, the Status updates will expire after 24 hours, yup, Just like ones on Snapchat.
With the new status updates, WhatsApp is also trying to return to its root. Back when the app was launched, WhatsApp did not have any messaging ability, in fact, it was only about setting up status so that all of your contacts can know what you are upto.
You can find the new find the new feature in the Status tab inside WhatsApp app on your phone. If you can’t find it, make sure that the app is updated to the latest version from App Store, Google Play or Windows Store according to your device.
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