Technology
New WhatsApp features rumoured to arrive in 2021 including self-destructing photos and Instagram Reels
WHATSAPP is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world and it could be getting even more exciting features.
We’ve rounded up a few of the best rumoured features that could be coming to WhatsApp in 2021.
Instagram Reels on WhatsApp
Rumours have suggested WhatsApp could get a whole section dedicated to Instagram Reels.
Facebook now owns Instagram and WhatsApp so a merger isn’t unlikely.
WhatsApp experts WABetaIno tweeted about the feature back in March this year.
Reels is basically Instagram’s answer to TikTok videos and involves content creators making short clips of themselves doing a variety of activities.
WhatsApp is said to be working on self-destructing photos[/caption]
WhatsApp self-destructing photos
WhatsApp is said to be in the process of testing a self-destructing photos and videos feature, similar to its rival Snapchat.
The feature was spotted in the new beta version ofWhatsApp for Android.
WhatsApp experts WABetaInfo tweeted: “WhatsApp is working to introduce self-destructing media with an official description, available in a future update!”
The feature will please WhatsApp users who want even more privacy but its not thought WhatsApp will be introducing a screenshot detection feature.
WhatsApp multi-device support
A lot of WhatsApp fans having been asking for the ability to use WhatsApp on multiple devices at the same time.
For example, you could have it on your personal phone, work phone and your laptop.
Some Android WhatsApp beta users have spotted a ‘syncing with another device’ feature and think the platform could finally be working on the multi-device support we all crave.
It’s worth noting that not all features tested in beta make it to the official mainstream WhatsApp.
WhatsApp – a quick history
Here’s what you need to know…
- WhatsApp was created in 2009 by computer programmers Brian Acton and Jan Koum – former employees of Yahoo
- It’s one of the most popular messaging services in the world
- Koum came up with the name WhatsApp because it sounded like “what’s up”
- After a number of tweaks the app was released with a messaging component in June 2009, with 250,000 active users
- It was originally free but switched to a paid service to avoid growing too fast. Then in 2016, it became free again for all users
- Facebook bought WhatsApp Inc in February 2014 for $19.3billion (£14.64bn)
- The app is particularly popular because all messages are encrypted during transit, shutting out snoopers
- As of 2020, WhatsApp has over 2billion users globally
Most read in Phones & Gadgets
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And, Vitalik Buterin has become the world’s youngest crypto billionaire after the digital currency he co-founded surged in price.
How often do you use WhatsApp? Let us know in the comments…
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