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10 New Features Coming to WhatsApp on Android including PiP Video Calls

August 1, 2017

Facebook-owned WhatsApp is working on to introduce some cool new additions to WhatsApp users using Android smartphones. All these reported (via WABetaInfo) features are available to beta users and will slowly and steadily make their way to the mainstream client, where it will be available for everyone.

Let’s take a look at the hot new additions to the platform (BETA):

With v2.17.285, WhatsApp will now allow group administrators to add a small description in their groups. This means anyone with a group invite link, will be able to see the “description ” and decide on whether to join the group or not.
WhatsApp will natively support Picture-in-Picture Video calls starting with Android O and is already enabled by default.
When typing text in a chat, you can tap and hold to select the text to easily bold, strikethrough and italicize it. This feature was to be available with the latest public build 2.17.254, but it seems it has not been enabled from the server side, so far.
WhatsApp will now allow you to select and send multiple photos directly from the camera UI. Do note, you can already select to send multiple photos from the gallery if you wish to.
WhatsApp is constantly improving its live location feature with each BETA update (disabled by default). This feature allows a user to share his/her location in real time to groups and/or contacts. Recent changes suggest that users can share the live location between 4 to 8 hours. (Note: This feature will only work if the battery saver feature on your Android device is disabled/turned off).
Users on Android 7.0 Nougat and/or newer can enjoy APP SHORTCUTS. This feature is already available on iOS and enables users to perform certain actions via WhatsApp by long pressing the WhatsApp app icon. The most recent beta update removed the earlier available shortcuts like New Chat, Camera and Starred Messages and are replaced by recent chats and camera shortcuts.
WhatsApp users on Android will now finally be able to monitor the chat sizes by analyzing the STORAGE USAGE. This feature has long been available on iOS and Windows Phone platform and is slowly making its way on Android. With this feature, users will be able to manage all sent and received messages and related media like number and size of images, videos, GIFs, documents, voice messages, locations and contact cards etc. Users with low storage space devices will finally be able to flush out the unimportant messages and make space for new ones. (This applies to WhatsApp groups too).
WhatsApp will now show you the Push Name in case of an unknown contact under his/her Contact Info card.
WhatsApp has added the possibility to zoom in the profile picture of a contact or group.
WhatsApp has also looked at the possibility of switching to a video call during an ongoing voice call. This is why a small video call icon will be visible during a voice call enabling users to quickly switch over for a face to face conversation. (Note: This requires supported hardware or latest WhatsApp update on both ends).

All these features are in testing phase and sooner or later will be available for all WhatsApp user on Android. Do lets us know your favorite feature in the comments section below.