WhatsApp, the popular messaging service owned by Meta, has introduced a new feature that allows users to send short video messages to their friends. Similar to the existing voice messages, the video messages can be up to 60 seconds in length and will automatically play on mute when the recipient opens the chat. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared a demonstration of the feature, showcasing the circular videos sent via this new option.
In the past, WhatsApp already offered the capability to send videos, but the new video message feature streamlines the process, making it faster and more immediate. Users can simply tap the existing voice message icon to switch to video mode and send a short video message to their contacts.
One advantage of the video message feature is that it keeps the clips solely within WhatsApp, preventing them from cluttering up the user’s phone’s camera roll with single-use clips. This can be particularly useful for those who frequently share short videos and want to avoid having them stored in their device’s gallery.
The video message feature has been rolling out on both iOS and Android versions of WhatsApp since at least last month. According to WhatsApp’s blog post, the feature will be available to all users in the coming weeks, providing a quicker and more convenient way to share videos with friends and contacts on the platform.
