WhatsApp has picked up a new feature via an update for the iOS. Starting from now WhatsApp users will be able to photo filters, automatic albums in chats and a new quick reply for messages. The Photo Filters is perhaps one of the major features that WhatsApp has picked, and the filter can be applied to pictures, GIFs, and even videos.
The filters are not as diversified as on Instagram, and currently, only five Filters including Pop, B&W, Cool, Chrome and Film are being offered. Needless to say, WhatsApp will add new filters in the future. Last time around WhatsApp borrowed the status feature from Snapchat, and the filter feature update is pretty much the same that is on the Instagram.
Apart from the filters WhatsApp users can now group a set of media items including images and videos into an album and send the same. When the recipient opens the album, it pops out into a new window instead of crowding the chat window. WhatsApp recently added the feature to mention someone by prefixing the name with ‘@’ something that has been pretty useful in group conversations. Starting now you can just right swipe on an individual message, and you can directly reply to the same.
That being said all of the new features will only be available for WhatsApp on iOS and probably the Android launch will follow suit. In the recent past, we are witnessing a trend wherein app makers are adding a bouquet of new features so that the user doesn’t have to leave their apps for additional features. The album, filters and the quick reply features are basic yet something that would go a long way in improving the UX.