Meta’s WhatsApp is reportedly working on two new features for its Android users, bringing a dedicated location-sharing option for Status and a camera feature called Instants.
Check out more about these latest updates below.
WhatsApp – Native Location Status Updates
As per a report by WABetaInfo, details of the native location Status feature were discovered in WhatsApp beta for Android version ‘2.26.45.8’. Currently, users need to select a photo or video before adding a location sticker, while the upcoming feature will introduce a dedicated ‘Location’ option in the status creation menu.
Speaking more, WhatsApp will detect the current location after receiving permission, and users can confirm it or manually enter a different location before sharing.
The shared status will display a map card featuring a green pin, the place’s name, and its full address, while viewers can use a button at the top to expand the map.
WhatsApp – Instants Photo and Video Sharing
Meta introduced a feature called Instants to Instagram back in May of this year, and it seems like the same is coming to WhatsApp, as the same has been discovered in WhatsApp beta for Android version ‘2.26.45.13 ‘.
The report by WABetaInfo reveals that users will be able to access this upcoming feature via the lightning bolt icon at the top of the Chats tab, which will open its camera, allowing users to capture photos or record videos lasting up to 30 seconds. Notably, the Gallery uploads will not be supported, and the shared media will disappear after the recipient views it.
Users can add captions and choose from several filters, including Original, Goof, Bulge, Nervous, Tears, Fisheye, Glitch, VHS, Fade, and Prism, though these may change before release. The report also highlights that Screenshot blocking is also planned.
Moreover, sharing will be restricted to mutual contacts who have each other’s numbers saved, and the media and captions will be protected with end-to-end encryption.
About their availability, the reports do not mention whether these features will also arrive on iOS, while both are currently being tested for Android.
Stay tuned for more updates.
