Popular messaging platform, WhatsApp has announced that users can now record and share short personal videos lasting up to 60 seconds directly in chats. This, it says, will improve the way people communicate on the platform.
“Video messages are a real-time way to respond to chats with whatever you want to say and show in 60 seconds. We think these will be a fun way to share moments with all the emotion that comes from video, whether it’s wishing someone a happy birthday, laughing at a joke, or bringing good news.”
WhatsApp wrote in a blog post.
The messaging app notes that voice messages changed the way people communicate by providing a quick and secure way to share their voice. This is why it is now building on the functionality of instant video messages.
The new feature is rolling out starting today and will be available to all users in the coming weeks. According to the platform, video messages are protected with end-to-end encryption.
Read also: WhatsApp Business hits 200 million monthly active users, announces new features
WhatsApp Video messages similar to audio messages
The instant messaging platform says sending a video message is just as easy as sending a voice message.
To do so, you need to tap to switch to video mode and hold to record the video. You can also swipe up to lock and record the video hands-free. Videos will play automatically on mute when opened in a chat, but tapping on the video will start the sound.
The launch of the new feature comes as WhatsApp has been adding several new features to its app over the past few months. The company recently introduced a feature that automatically silences calls from unknown numbers. It also gave users the ability to edit a message within 15 minutes of sending it. Plus, WhatsApp is said to be working on introducing usernames.
Also, the Meta-owned messaging platform announced new account security features adding additional layers of privacy and security for users of the popular messaging application.
These features include additional alerts that may take place if someone tries to move their account to another device, back-end invisible checks to help prevent malware on a device from impacting the platform, and automated security code verification to confirm your secure connection quickly.
These features build off the foundation of default end-to-end encryption that protects personal messages against threats.
Meta also recently announced that WhatsApp Business – a platform for small-scale businesses, reached 200 million monthly active users. This was up from 50 million users gathered in 2020, just two years after its 2018 launch.
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