WhatsApp Enhances Video Calls with Screen Sharing and Landscape Mode

WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform, has recently introduced two significant updates to its video calls feature, putting it in competition with established players like FaceTime, Zoom, and Teams.

If you often find yourself in video chats where sharing photos or live web pages with friends and family would enhance the conversation, you’re in luck. WhatsApp has added a screen-sharing feature to its Android, iOS, and Windows versions, expanding its capabilities beyond simple messaging.

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook), announced the new feature on Facebook with the caption “we’re adding the ability to share your screen during a video call on WhatsApp.” While the primary aim seems to be to compete with platforms like Zoom and Teams, the screen-sharing function is versatile. Not only is it suitable for work presentations, but Meta envisions users using it to share photo albums, plan trips, or assist older family members with technology challenges.

How to Use the Screen-Sharing Feature:

Although the feature is being gradually rolled out, you can expect to find it in your app soon. To share your screen during a video call, follow these steps:

1. Initiate a video call.
2. Tap the ‘share’ icon at the bottom of the screen (located at the bottom-left corner).
3. On the pop-up box, select ‘continue.’
4. Click ‘start now.’

This feature was initially available to WhatsApp beta testers on Android starting in May. Now, it’s being introduced to a wider audience alongside another addition—a dedicated landscape mode for video calls. This landscape mode aims to offer a more expansive and immersive viewing and sharing experience.

Both of these enhancements arrive just ahead of Meta Connect, a significant event scheduled to begin on September 27. The event is expected to include the announcement of the Meta Quest 3.

A Busy Period of Innovation for WhatsApp:

The introduction of the new screen-sharing feature further bolsters WhatsApp’s ever-expanding list of capabilities. Throughout this year, the platform has been rolling out a series of updates to enhance its functionality. Some recent additions and updates include:

1. Video Messages and Eight-Person Video Calls on Windows Desktop.
2. Companion Mode, allowing users to access their account on up to four devices simultaneously.
3. Message Editing Capability.
4. Chat Lock, a security feature that secures conversations behind a locked folder, accessible only through the user’s phone password or biometrics.

As Meta aims to position WhatsApp as a strong competitor against FaceTime, Zoom, Teams, and even private messaging apps like Telegram, it’s evident that the platform is continuously evolving. While there’s a potential concern for feature overload, the trend of versatile “everything” apps is gaining momentum. Meta’s strategic moves are in line with this trend, and they are not alone, as other entities like Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) are also attempting to secure a slice of this versatile app market.

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