WhatsApp’s next big update will transform how you send videos
Mute noisy clips before sending to friends
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WhatsAppwill soon allow you to mute videos when you share them with friends, allowing recipients to watch them without the noise annoying others nearby.
AsWABetaInforeports, the new feature is currently rolling out to users who are part of WhatsApp’s beta program, and (provided no bugs are discovered) we anticipate it will arrive for all users very soon.
If you want to be first to try out new WhatsApp features like muting video, you’ll need to sign up for the beta program. TheAppleprogram is currently full, but you cankeep an eye on the TestFlight pagein case a space opens up.
If you’re an Android user, you canvisit the WhatsApp Beta page on Google Playto register. Provided you already have the public version of WhatsApp installed on your phone, it will be updated to the beta version within a couple of hours.
Spread the message
More new features may be on the horizon as WhatsApp attempts to win back people who are considering switching to different services. Many users decided to jump ship after WhatsAppannounced changes to its terms of usethat appeared to involve sharing more data with its parent company Facebook, moving their conversations to rival apps like Telegram and Signal.
WhatsApp has since tried toset the record straight, explaining that changes to the privacy policy only affect business users, and dismissing claims that private data such as users' chat histories, voice and video calls, and location data.
Its competitors were quick to capitalize on the opportunity though, with Telegram founder Pavel Durov called the number of people leaving WhatsApp “the largest digital migration in human history,”
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Signal, meanwhile,‘borrowed’ some of WhatsApp’s best featuresto make it easier for people to switch services. The maximum possible number of participants in a Signal video call increased from six to eight, the app now offers a special low-data mode, and users can set a custom ‘about’ status.
WhatsApp still has an ace up its sleeve, however, in the form ofmulti-device support. The feature has been on the cards for a long time, and will allow you to stay logged in on several phones, computers and tablets at once.
We don’t yet know when multi-device support will be rolled out, butthe forthcoming addition of biometric securityfor WhatsApp’s desktop and web apps suggests it could be very soon. Stick with TechRadar and we’ll bring you the latest news as soon as it lands.
Cat is TechRadar’s Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She’s been a tech journalist for 15 years, and is here to help you choose the right devices for your home and do more with them. When not working she’s a keen home baker, and makes a pretty mean macaron.
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