Popular instant messaging service WhatsApp has rolled out the picture-in-picture mode to all its Android users with its latest update. The feature enables WhatsApp users to watch videos from various third party apps within the messaging service, without having to move outside a chat window. It is worth noticing that this feature has been available on iOS already and it came to Android Beta in October this year.
So now, when users will click on a YouTube, Facebook, Tumblr, and Instagram video in WhatsApp, they will not be redirected to an external page. Instead, on receiving videos, users will be able to see a video card with a blurred thumbnail image. The logo of the platform where the video is originally available will also be visible to users.
Once users will tap on the link, the PiP mode will make the video play on the upper half of the chat window. Users will also have the option of making the video play in full-screen, and they will also be able to operate the video timeline bar or go to other segments of the app.
Although videos from most major social media platforms can now be played in PiP mode in WhatsApp, it has been reported that the app will soon start supporting videos from more number of platforms. Users of the Facebook-owned app will need to download the version 2.18.380 via Google Play Store in order to play videos in PiP mode on their device. We should also mention that the feature is available for individual chats as well as group chats and can be used on any Android device.
WhatsApp is currently testing an improved group calling interface for its Android app. This feature would enable users to call up all the members of a group at the same time and would not have to add everyone on the call individually. The feature is already available on the iOS version of WhatsApp and is expected to roll out on Android too. A different report also says that the app will soon be getting a Dark mode, much like the one we have seen on YouTube.
For the latest gadget and tech news, and gadget reviews, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For newest tech & gadget videos subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
