WhatsApp is working on a Snapchat like video messaging feature

WhatsApp and Telegram, two encrypted messaging services, make it simple to connect in practically any situation. You may exchange fleeting status updates, take group polls, and broadcast messages to many people at once using Meta’s app. A recent beta version provides us our first glimpse at a feature that is somewhat reminiscent of Snapchat and allows you to send 60-second video clips with ease.

If you’ve used WhatsApp for a time, you know that sharing movies from your gallery is possible but requires a lot of taps. Shorter movies can be sent as ephemeral stories to a limited audience; however, this won’t function if the recipient or group chat is the only audience for the material. The Android app’s version 2.23.8.19, Meta was spotted in the process of developing a short video messaging feature, according to WABetaInfo.

A small number of beta testers already have access to the new feature. The video camera icon appears when people tap the microphone button next to the message box to record a voice message. Then, you can tap and hold the button to quickly record a video for the receiver. Just press the video camera button once more to return to voice message mode. The video recording has a 60-second time limit, according to WABetaInfo.

This reminds me of the original Snapchat, which popularized time-limited Snaps for video messaging. One could also argue that WhatsApp is suddenly catching up to Telegram, which has long offered a function for video messaging.

Short quick videos might be quite helpful if you want to save time typing or if you want to share something and an image with a caption just isn’t going to cut it, even though Meta is late releasing this function. According to WABetaInfo, a video broadcast in this manner can portray immediacy and authenticity, which is not feasible with pre-recorded clips.

With video communications just like with most of its other capabilities, WhatsApp emphasizes user privacy. Considering that they are end-to-end encrypted, only the sender and intended receiver will be able to view the material. Additionally, while you cannot send movies as view-only material, neither can the recipient of your videos.

In the upcoming weeks, the beta channel’s availability will increase. I hope we get to see a channel roll out soon.