WhatsApp, one of the most popular messaging apps on the planet is getting better status updates. With the new Status, you can now share more than a simple ‘I`m Busy’ instead you can now set photos, videos and animated GIFs which disappear after 24 hours.
Your Status updates will only be visible to contacts you have saved in your phone’s address book, which means you can check out other peoples interesting status updates as well.
The update appears to be rolling out in stages, but once you have the ability you can simply go to the Status screen, the tap the Status Icon and add a new status. WhatsApp says you can take a new photo or record a new video, or choose an existing one from the picker to add to your status.
Source: WhatsApp BlogWhatsApp Support.
Is this something we needed? It seems like Facebook is trying to cram Snapchat features into every single one of its pieces of software. I worry that Whatsapp will follow in the path of Facebook Messenger, a sort of everything including the kitchen sink approach. I like Whatsapp because it’s a lean and clean messenger that isn’t bogged down like Facebook Messenger is.
I like it too… Except for that fact there is no web UI so it only works on my phone.