A look at WhatsApp indicates the messaging app has undergone a total reinvention process, along with the integration of a new mega feature that is rolling out worldwide.
Last night, after watching the app update itself on my Tecno Boom J8, the super multi-purpose app loads up to a whole new metamorphosis of itself.
I later found out this has been long coming with Jan Koum, CEO and co-founder of WhatsApp, in an announcement blog post earlier this week, saying “We are excited to announce that, coinciding with WhatsApp’s 8th birthday on February 24, we are reinventing the status feature”.
Waoh! Its WhatsApp 8th birthday! Who had known!
Well, the ‘status’ feature, which I received last night on my Android Smartphone, came with a total reinvention of the mega instant messaging app, and it has been reported to be available on iPhone and Windows devices as well.
What a way to celebrate a birthday!
So, What’s new?
A lot!
WhatsApp Product Manager, Randall Sarafa, had earlier this week said the new WhatsApp Status combines three existing features – broadcast lists, media sharing, and, of course, Status.
The WhatsApp camera tab is now domiciling on the top left corner of the app, with active ‘Chats’ next to it. ‘Status’ is now taking centre stage flanked by ‘Calls’ to the right.
With the new revamped Status feature, WhatsApp users can now change their status to a short video or photos, along with a caption that will be fed under the new Status tab. WhatsApp confirms that similar to chats, the status updates are end-to-end encrypted. However, the status messages disappear after 24 hours.
The new WhatsApp Status feature is the Facebook-owned company’s new way to engage people on the instant messaging platform, and this will be replacing the old text form of status.
WhatsApp users have the option of tweaking who can see a new Status message, and the three options are My contacts, My contacts except, and Only share with. By default, WhatsApp Status updates created by you are visible to all contacts.
Users who change their status with an image or video, will be also shown the view count on the app. Tap the eye icon at the bottom of any Status update and you can view a list of contacts who saw the update. The feature, however, will need you to enable Read Receipts. When Read Receipts is disabled, WhatsApp notes, “Can’t see views because you disabled Read Receipts in Settings > Account > Privacy”.
The camera tab on the left, symbolised with a camera symbol is where users can easily shoot photos or record videos to use as Status updates, or, share regularly with their contacts.
The new WhatsApp Status no doubt took cues from Snapchat’s Stories, and is being seen as the company’s first attempt to move the instant messaging app away from being just a traditional messaging app as users would be engaged endlessly scrolling contacts statuses depending on how heavy a user contacts is and how often the contacts update their statuses.
The revamped Status also looks inspired by Facebook’s change of profile and cover pictures that notifies other users. WhatsApp Status however brings a more personal touch to the Status change as friends and families on the messaging app will be notified about the new status but you will receive replies privately. On Facebook and Instagram replies are, however, visible to everyone.
What a way to celebrate an app’s birthday. Go ahead and try posting to your status now!
Happy birthday WhatsApp!