WhatsApp users now have one more way of staying in touch with the people they communicate with using the app: instant video messages.
Now, before you wonder those are and how different they are from the video calls you can already make using the app, think about another WhatsApp feature that has been around for ages: WhatsApp voice messages. Or, as we call them out here, voice notes. Now, what if instead of sending a voice note you could send a short recording of yourself to whoever is on the other end of the chat? That’s what the instant video messages that WhatsApp has introduced are about.
They are short and recorded directly from inside the chat.
“Video messages are a real-time way to respond to chats with whatever you want to say and show in 60 seconds,” WhatsApp says.
“Sending a video message is as simple as sending a voice message. Just tap to switch to video mode, and hold to record the video. You can also swipe up to lock and record the video hands-free.”
WhatsApp says that the videos will be played automatically on mute when opened in a chat but tapping on the video will start the sound. That’s a very thoughtful way of making you avoid embarrassing moments in public.
As is the case with most WhatsApp features, instant video messages are end-to-end encrypted.
WhatsApp says that the new feature is currently rolling out and should be with everyone in a matter of weeks.
