Sunday, December 22

WhatsApp to Launch Picture-in-Picture Feature for Android

Facebook-owned Whatsapp is reportedly planning to launch a new feature for the Android users which will be known as picture-in-picture video feature.

The new in-app feature on Android will let WhatsApp users play videos from Instagram and YouTube in a small window within the messaging app. This will not require the users to go to Instagram or YouTube apps to view a video sent by a contact.

From the recent months, Whatsapp is bringing in and testing various features. It recently introduced the multiple contacts voice and video calling feature and now is planning to introduce the picture-in-picture video feature soon.

According to the WABetaInfo report, WhatsApp is currently working on the picture-in-picture mode for videos in the Android app. Lately, the application has updated itself through the Google Play Beta Programme with a new version up to 2.18.234.

At present, the feature has not been made available as the company is still working on its implementation and due to “development reasons”. The mobile app needs to receive various other improvements before being officially launched for all Android WhatsApp users. However, it is being said that the company has been working for the last few months for the purpose of adding this feature and it may be available in one of the next few updates.

After the availability of the picture-in-picture feature on WhatsApp for Android, the user will see a white-colored Play icon on any YouTube or Instagram video link shared by their contacts on the messaging app. The user will then have to tap on the icon and the video will pop-up in a small box inside the app. This box can be expanded or placed anywhere within the app.

There has been no confirmation on the date of launch of the new feature. However, since it has already been implemented in the iOS app, it should be available for Android shortly.