In a world where video calling is the norm but actually ringing someone is exceedingly weird, it’s no surprise that WhatsApp is finally jazzing up its offering.
The app, used by almost 40 million people in the UK, is well known for its quirky additions in messages, including stickers and gifs, but has been fairly straight-laced when it comes to video calls.
Until now.
The latest beta version for Android has revealed that augmented reality (AR) call effects and filters are in the works – including the ability to turn yourself into an avatar while chatting.
Hopefully these will also include adding fun extra features like sunglasses and Santa hats, as found on some other platforms.
Or if you want to go (almost) au naturale, it looks as though there’ll also be a touch-up tool for smoothing skin.
Less exciting, but just as useful, will be the ability to customise or blur backgrounds, perfect for a surprise call from the boss when you’re stretching the boundaries of WFH.
The new additions were spotted by WABetaInfo.com, a website dedicated to the latest developments in Meta’s app.
Writing on the site, the team said: ‘WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of new AR call effects and filters, scheduled for release in a future update of the app. These AR effects will allow users to add fun and interactive elements to their video calls while also enhancing the overall visual experience.
‘Additionally, WhatsApp is developing a tool to edit the background during calls, which will be particularly useful for group conferences where users may want to customise their surroundings or blur out distractions.’
They added that the same tool will be available on desktop apps in the future, useful for making work calls.
What's up WhatsApp?
A less popular change that rolled out recently was the greening of the whole app. Features such as the arrow button and new chat notification went from blue to green, in a move so controversial users complained on social media in droves – including one who said it was enough to make them ‘delete the app’.
‘Alongside these features, WhatsApp is also planning to introduce other effects that can make video calls more entertaining and engaging, catering to users who enjoy adding a playful touch to their conversations,’ the team added.
‘Specifically, users will soon have the option to use an avatar in place of their real-time video feed, providing creative expression options during calls. This feature proves beneficial by allowing users to maintain anonymity or express themselves creatively through avatars, ensuring privacy or enhancing the fun element of video calls.’
We’re not sure in what scenario disguising yourself as a koala or a unicorn is really the most efficient way to protect your privacy, but we’re all for being turned into animals nevertheless.
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