Journalism of Courage
WhatsApp’s video-calling feature is now live on a beta version of the app (v2.16.80) for Android devices. The APK file, which is ready for download from APK Mirror as well, has the new feature live on it. The new beta app gives access to video-calling function from the call icon, but it isn’t functional just yet. The app is available to beta testers from Google Play’s beta testing program. WhatsApp’s video-calling feature is one that has been anticipated for quite sometime now, and once this launches it could give the app a significant edge over other messaging rivals. Read more here
WhatsApp, most recently announced that the messaging service is now end-to-end encrypted at all times. This means that a user's messages, videos, photos shared on WhatsApp cannot be read by anyone else, be it law-enforcement agencies, cyber-criminals or even WhatsApp. WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum announced the update on his Facebook page, stating that the company has been working on the feature for the last two years. Read more here
WhatsApp, in its WhitePaper, explained the technical details of how the end-to-end encryption works. It uses "The Signal Protocol", designed by Open Whisper Systems, for its encryption. Read more here
WhatsApp also launched a new feature for for iOS users, that allow them to format their text to add bold, italics or strikethrough option while messaging friends. The new feature was first spotted on Android version 2.12.535 which was available for Google Play beta testers, although the APK file was also online for regular users to download. iOS users need to update the app to the latest version. To add bold type the text in between two * (asterisks) symbols and for italics type between two underscore _ symbols. The strikethrough appears when you type the text between the two tilde ~ symbols. Read more here
WhatsApp rolled out the ability to share documents, both on the Android and iOS versions of the app. In order to share a document, just tap on the share attachment option in iOS or Android, and one of the tabs should reflect Share Documents. In iOS, you’ll be able to share documents from iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, if they are installed on your smartphone. In Android, WhatsApp lets you share documents from the File Folder itself. Read more here
WhatsApp, in February, announced that it will end support for its app for BlackBerry devices including BlackBerry 10 by the end of 2016. The company will also do away with WhatsApp Messenger for Nokia S40, Nokia Symbian S60, smartphones with Android 2.1, Android 2.2 and Windows Phone 7.1. Read more here
WhatsApp for iOS got an update, which brought features like ‘Pinch to Zoom’ on video content, third-party app support for sharing pictures and videos. WhatsApp iOS build (version 2.12.14) added four new features with it. WhatsApp iOS users can also share photos, videos, documents from other apps on their iPhone. Read more here
WhatsApp rolled out brand new emoticons for Android users, which include eight tabs for emojis. These include a tab with sports emojis, one with flags, bulbs and beverages. The new emojis include an upside down face, popcorn box, robot faces, a nerd face, an urn, turkey and even a middle finger emoji. These emojis were only available for iOS and web users earlier. Read more here
WhatsApp in February announced, that it now has 1 billion monthly active users, just seven years after the app was first launched. The instant-messaging app sees nearly 42 billion messages sent each day via its platform, with over 1.6 billion photos being shared daily. Numbers also reveal that over 250 million videos are shared each day on WhatsApp, and that there are over 1 billion groups. Read more here
WhatsApp now allows for 256 members in a group, which was limited to 100 prior to the update. Read more here
