WhatsApp has been quite busy over the past few weeks, introducing new updates, including the Communities feature, call links, messaging yourself and the ability to send files of up to 2 GB.
WABetaInfo is now reporting that the Meta-owned company is now trialling a different camera interface for its Android app. At the moment, WhatsApp’s camera interface has a shutter button along with the buttons to switch to the front camera and go into the gallery.
To take a video, you need to long-press the shutter button, which might not be ideal in some situations as you need to keep holding the shutter video while recording the video.
The company is looking to correct this by adding a dedicated video mode built-in in its camera app. This video mode will be easily accessible by swiping right on the viewfinder. The days of holding the shutter button as you record your videos will finally be long gone.
Another advantage that comes with the update is that WhatsApp will now allow you to switch between the rear and front camera while recording a video, which was impossible in photo mode. If for any reason you prefer taking videos by holding the shutter button, the new version still lets you do so.
At the time of writing, only selected users on the beta program have the functionality. WhatsApp beta for Android 2.22.21.8 or newer has the update, so check if you are running it, the new interface should appear by default.
The features overhaul has certainly been a long time coming for WhatsApp, which was being left behind in terms of functionalities compared to other messaging platforms like Telegram. Personally, I am a big fan of call links, a new WhatsApp feature that lets users join on a call, either video or audio through a link.
