Like other popular apps, WhatsApp will add a series of fun and highly anticipated features to enrich and liven up your video calls. You won’t be able to do without it!
WhatsApp is a great app: it makes it easy to stay in touch with family, friends or colleagues by exchanging text messages, photos, videos, voice recordings, etc. But it also allows you to chat live in audio, such as by telephone, but also in video, thanks to video calls, in two or more people. Practical for seeing loved ones during a special event or during the holidays, when they are at a distance.
However, despite its popularity – two billion users worldwide! –, WhatsApp does less well than its competitors in this area. The app is in fact missing a function that is found for example in Google Meet and Microsoft Teams and which has made TikTok and Snapchat successful: filters. These are simply visual effects generally in augmented reality which allow, depending on the case, to correct faults on a face using virtual makeup or even to integrate crazy elements such as rabbit ears, a clown nose , stars, etc.
But this gap will soon be filled! The specialized site WABetaInfo has indeed spotted augmented reality effects and filters for video calls in a beta version of the app. In short, this fun and highly anticipated feature should be available to everyone in a future WhatsApp update!
Concretely, you will be able to use a retouching tool to smooth your skin, access a low light mode to improve visibility in dimly lit environments and apply filters, as is the case on Instagram. Additionally, you will be able to take advantage of a tool to change the background during calls, like what Microsoft Teams and Google Meet offer. This will be particularly useful for group video conferences, since you will be able to benefit from a little more confidentiality and personalize your environment. This function will subsequently be available on the computer version of WhatsApp.
At the same time, WhatsApp plans to introduce other effects that can make video calls more entertaining and engaging, to add a fun touch to your conversations. You will be able to use an avatar instead of your camera, which can be useful for maintaining your anonymity or simply not showing your face if you are not looking your best. Nothing very original then, but all these additions are more than welcome. Better late than never !