WhatsApp has introduced a slew of features through a new update of the iOS version of its mobile app. One of which is the ability for users to initiate a picture-in-picture mode when making video calls – a feature that’s already made available to users on Android for quite some time now, but had only started testing on Apple’s mobile platform in December of last year.
The picture-in-picture (PiP) mode is exactly what you’d expect, especially if you’re already familiar with Apple’s own version for its FaceTime video calling feature. Designed with multi-tasking in mind, this new function allows you to use your phone’s screen for other apps without disrupting an ongoing video call on WhatsApp. When activated, PiP shrinks the video feed to a small window that sits atop of whichever app that you’ve decided to switch over.
Also new are the ability to add captions when sending documents, which is useful for giving recipients a heads up on what files are being sent over. The latest WhatsApp iOS update (version 23.3.77) also lets you set longer descriptions and subjects for groups, increasing the maximum character limit from 512 to 2,048. With this, users will get more space to include additional details regarding their groups, such as rules and other important information for new and existing members alike. Lastly, WhatsApp’s personalised avatars feature, which was introduced in December last year, is also getting some new tweaks via this new patch.
According to WABetaInfo, all of these additions (with the exception of PiP) are already available on the Android version of the Meta-owned messaging service through a gradual rollout released on 14 February. However, missing from this particular update for iOS is the new ability that let users share up to 100 media files simultaneously, which is a major increase over the original limit of only 30 files.
As usual, be sure to update your device’s WhatsApp to the latest version through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store in order to enjoy all of the new offerings.
(Source: 9to5mac)
