Widely-used instant messaging application WhatsApp is out to compete with cloud-based communication platforms like Skype, Zoom, and Google meet. This development came as the Facebook-owned app keeps improving its functionalities to ease both text-based and virtual conversations.

WhatsApp users have witnessed the implementation of multiple updates and features in a turbulent year-2020. But that only marked the beginning of more features yet to come. This year, ardent WhatsApp users should expect some of the features spotted by tech information portal WABetaInfo.

WhatsApp web voice and video calls

The company is rolling out a voice and video call features for the messaging app’s desktop version this year, though it is unclear which month. WhatsApp says it has already rolled the feature for some desktop users on a trial basis.

Copying and pasting multiple videos and photos

This feature is already available for iOS beta testers, specifically to those with version 2.21.10.23, with the expectation to make it available to all users this year. This feature enables the user to paste multiple images and videos into WhatsApp chat bar.

How it works?

Firstly, select multiple images from the Photos app, then press “Export” and “Copy”.

Now, open WhatsApp and paste your images right in the chat bar and send.

Terms and Privacy Policy

WhatsApp is also changing its Terms and Privacy Policy. The new Terms of Service will see users receiving specific announcements according to WABetaInfo.

“Those announcements won’t be sent in the form of a chat, but they will appear as a particular in-app banner that can redirect to external websites or they can require a specific user action,” notes WABetaInfo in a blog post.

So, how will the announcement appear?

It will appear when WhatsApp is releasing their new terms and it explains the main focus of the update such as; how WhatsApp processes your data, or how businesses can use Facebook hosted services to store and manage their WhatsApp chats.

By tapping Agree, the user accepts the updated Terms of Service and continue using the application, that will fully be implemented on Feb 8, 2021, please note this date could change. If a user does not agree to terms, he can delete WhatsApp account within WhatsApp Settings.

But not all users will see this particular update as WhatsApp is cancelling support for a plethora of smartphones. Motorola DROID RAZR, Samsung Galaxy SII, HTC Desire, and LG Optimus Black will not receive support from WhatsApp starting January 2021.

Contrary to reports that iPhone 1, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 4 could also get excluded from WhatsApp support directory, WABetaInfo says older iPhones would not be eliminated.

“WhatsApp is not dropping support for older iPhones. It’s fake news,” WABetaInfo said in a tweet. 

The new updates are coming a few months after WhatsApp rolled out features such as disappearing messages, mute always, and call feature for business accounts on toggle.

The “disappearing messages” feature is available for both group and individual chats and can be enabled by opening the WhatsApp chat, tapping the contact’s or group’s name, tapping “Disappearing messages” and selecting on.

So far, users have been reluctant to turn on the feature, which makes messages disappear, leaving no records whatsoever. Some users do not know the feature exists.

To enable mute “Always”, tap on the WhatsApp chat, then the contact you want to mute, go to “Mute notifications” option – tap the grey slide to turn on the feature (slide colour changes to green), then select “Always”.

As we embrace the new year, WhatsApp is no longer the same messaging app known in the previous years.