WhatsApp Rolls Out New Features For Video Calling

 WhatsApp has announced a slew of new features aimed specifically at improving users’ experience with video calling. The update actually brings a lot of features that were previously added to the app earlier this year for voice calls.

First up, you can now have up to 32 people on a video, four times the previous limit, if you’re feeling extra sociable. The increased limit was first introduced to voice calling alongside the Communities feature a few months back.

Large group calls now enable you to have more granular control over who you hear. WhatsApp says that when you long press on a participant, it will allow you to either mute them or message them separately without interrupting the ongoing video call.

iOS users are getting early access to a picture-in-picture tool for multitasking while you’re video calling. The company said that it’s currently in beta testing but the feature should be rolling out in the new year, though it’s unclear when Android users will get to use it.

Of course, there is the “call links” that were released back in September for both voice and video calls. The links provide a convenient method to let others join an ongoing call, though it still can’t replace video conferencing apps as it does not allow call scheduling.

In case you missed it, WhatsApp also launched a few other new features recently. Users can now officially customise their own avatars on the app, which will generate a 36-pack of stickers. In addition, an incredibly convenient feature called “Message Yourself” lets you use the app to message yourself as a makeshift notepad. In August, the Meta-owned platform unveiled the highly-requested ability to leave groups silently, with only admins being notified.

WhatsApp Beta Rolls Out Default Disappearing Messages Update

A new feature is launching on WhatsApp beta that allows users to set all messages to disappear by default. The feature’s current iteration only allows users to turn on disappearing messages for individual chats and only gives the option of seven days.

This new rollout gives you more control over the privacy feature. For starters, there’s now a global timer for all chats, and that’s in addition to the ability to personalise the duration for individual threads. Instead of just seven days, WhatsApp is also adding options for 24 hours and 90 days.

The expanded message timer joins the View Once feature as part of the platform’s growing suite of privacy-focused tools. Be aware of course, that none of these measures prevent recipients from recording or taking a screenshot of the contents that you send and, unlike Snapchat, you have no way of knowing if they did.

The default disappearing messages is rolling out to iOS users on WhatsApp beta and WhatsApp Business beta. Unfortunately, Android beta users will have to be patient as the feature will only be released next week. With the latest beta, WhatsApp also unveiled larger and rounder chat bubbles.

WhatsApp Beta Rolls Out Encryption For Cloud Backups

While WhatsApp already implements end-to-end encryption for chats since 2014, it appears that the privacy feature will soon be extended to cloud backups as well. WABetaInfo reports that the Facebook-owned private messaging platform is finally testing encrypted backups in the latest beta version on its app, months after it was first discovered in March this year.

Beta users who choose to opt-in will have all their chat backups encrypted, whether it’s to Google Drive or Apple iCloud. By doing so, its worth noting that WhatsApp will prompt you to create a separate password to restore the backups. Alternatively, you can also rely on a generated 64-digit encryption key, which you’ll have to safely keep somewhere. According to WABetaInfo, neither of these security measurements will be shared with WhatsApp, Facebook, Google or Apple.

Much like anything else that are password protected, losing your password or the aforementioned encryption key will result in the backups to be locked away permanently. Nevertheless, those willing to take the risk will be assured that their chat history will be safe from prying eyes, even if law enforcement compels cloud service providers to provide access to your cloud backups.

The introduction of encrypted chat backup arrives just in time with WhatsApp’s upcoming rollout for its multi-device support, which allows users to use the app independently from their main phone. So far, there’s been no news yet on when exactly either of these features will be released to the general public. But when they do, using the versatile platform will be easier and more secure than ever.

FamilyMart Malaysia Rolls Out Its First Smart Kiosk

FamilyMart Malaysia has launched its first-ever smart kiosk which is called the FamilyMart Mini. Located at the Shell Karak Highway 2 in Gombak, the automated kiosk is already begun to serve customers recently.

FamilyMart Mini allows customers to purchase up to six items at one go, according to the pictures shared by FamilyMart Malaysia on its Facebook page. It is equipped with a large touch screen that displays the items that are available within the machine together with their price tag.

Based on the images shared by FamilyMart, it seemed that the items offered by the FamilyMart Mini at Shell Karak Highway 2 mainly consisted of the brand’s own food and drinks including onigiri, sandwiches, and bread. In terms of payment, the smart kiosk accepts credit and debit cards as well as selected e-wallets include Boost, GrabPay, Maybank QRPay, and Touch n Go eWallet.

Truth be told, smart kiosks and advanced vending machines are nothing new in our market. In the context of convenience store companies such as FamilyMart that also sell self-branded products, it may act as a way to expand their footprint in a cost-effective manner as opposed to having a full-scale store.

Meanwhile, FamilyMart Malaysia has yet to reveal the number of FamiyMart Mini that it plans to deploy. Given the reason we mentioned earlier though, we would not be surprised if it began to pop in other areas very soon though.

WhatsApp Rolls Out ‘View Once’ Feature To Beta Users on Android

WhatsApp has begun to roll out a new feature known as View Once to beta users on Android. This particular feature is one of three new functionalities for the messaging app that has been confirmed by its CEO, Will Cathcart as well as CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg to WABetaInfo earlier this month.

Meant to deliver more privacy to users, this feature allows them to send photos and videos that would disappear immediately after it is viewed and closed by the recipient. This is opposed to the existing Disappearing Messages feature, whereby users can set their messages to be automatically removed from WhatsApp after seven days.

At the same time, users would also be notified once the media file has been viewed by the recipient. This option can also be enabled for groups and even recipients that have not activated or yet to receive the feature on their device.

However, do note that recipients can still screenshot View Once’s photos or videos before they are deleted which is something you have to be mindful about, since WhatsApp does not have a built-in screenshot detector. WABetaInfo has also said that iOS beta testers will have access to View Once soon, but didn’t mention any exact rollout date for them.

Twitter Rolls Out Tip Jar Payment Feature For Content Creators And Others

Twitter joins other social media platforms in rolling out a payment feature for content creators and others. As the name implies, Tip Jar will enable people to support Twitter personalities with tips.

The account owner / recipient will have to enable the feature first – after which, a Tip Jar icon will appear next to the Follow button on their profile page. Those who wish to tip can then tap on the icon and select a payment service or platform that the account has enabled.

Once a selection has been made, users will be brought off Twitter to the chosen app, where they can enter an amount and finalise payment. Available services include Bandcamp, Cash App, Patreon, PayPal and Venmo. Twitter said it takes no cut, but noted that payment service availability and features will vary by region. Android users can also send tips within Spaces.

At the moment, everyone using Twitter in English can send tips to those who have enabled the feature – expansion to other languages is planned. But for the time being, only a limited group of people across the world who use Twitter in English can add the feature to their profile and receive money. These people include creators, journalists, experts and nonprofits, but Twitter said it’ll widen that circle shortly.

Twitter said that Tip Jar is a “first step” in its efforts to set up ways for people to give and receive money on the platform. Social media platforms are banking heavily on attracting creators – Clubhouse launched its first monetisation feature last month, and Facebook has its Stars feature, with more monetisation opportunities announced and on the way.