Lewis ParkesIt looks like Mark Zuckerberg is out to annihilate Snapchat. After Instagram, now Whatsapp is enabling ‘Status’ updates with animated videos or images, just like Snapchat Stories.
The Status feature update will enable Whatsapp users to share images and videos with all of their contacts in the instant messaging app — something that they couldn’t do earlier, of course. The feature is very similar to Instagram Stories, which of course was inspired by Snapchat Stories.
Related: New WhatsApp feature will let you track your friends’ location in real time
Now, instead of drab and boring status updates like “Hey there, I’m on Whatsapp” or “Busy” or “Do not disturb”, Whatsapp Status will allow users to embed videos that they’ve shot or personal photos. Wonder if GIFs are allowed? That’d really spice things up. All these Whatsapp Status messages will disappear after 24 hours, just like Instagram Stories or Snapchat Stories.
In an update, Whats app claimed that these Status messages will be secure and encrypted from end-to-end, ensuring no one apart from the Whats app user’s contact list gets to see their latest Whatsapp Status. Earlier in February, Whats App had introduced a two-step verification feature to secure user’s account much better than before. Planning your next journey while discussing the latest WhatsApp features? Elevate your travel experience with exclusive Cleartrip coupon code from The Hindu . Exclusively for our readers tuned into The Hindu. Fly smart, save big, and keep chatting!
Mark Zuckerberg, obviously, owns both Facebook and What’s app, and the social turf war seems to going all wrong for Snapchat right now. Who will win?
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