From now on, video telephony via WhatsApp will be upgraded with screen sharing and a horizontal view for mobile devices. Meta and its CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the news on Facebook. Both Android smartphone users and iPhone users benefit.
Screen sharing allows the other person to show their own display content. In this way, new apps can be demonstrated or problems with the cell phone can be solved. Vertical video telephony, on the other hand, shows more of the caller’s surroundings.
WhatsApp launches screen sharing for everyone
Screen sharing and landscape mode for WhatsApp
Image: WhatsApp Inc.
Since the end of May, beta testers have been able to use WhatsApp screen sharing on their cell phones. How Marc Zuckerberg reports, the feature is now rolling out for all users. It was not communicated whether it is a server-side update or whether you should heave the messenger to the latest version yourself. The greatest chance is to be able to use screen sharing, probably with the most up-to-date version of the communication tool. You can recognize the divisible display content by the symbol with the mobile phone and the arrow after starting a video call.
Screen sharing in action
Image: Andre Reinhardt
Touch this button, there is a small hint that you have to agree to. Then the screen sharing begins. The other person can see every detail of your smartphone display. It is therefore important to pay close attention to which apps, logins, menus and settings are shown. Accidentally passing on an important password would of course be fatal. We tested screen sharing with two Android phones. The feature works smoothly and in good quality.
Horizontal video chats in WhatsApp
So far, you could only have vertical conversations in moving images in the popular messenger. Now Meta announces that the horizontal view is also available. This mode is particularly useful when you want to demonstrate more of your surroundings. Furthermore, objects can be held better in the camera. To activate the so-called landscape mode, you simply have to turn your smartphone. The feature starts immediately and, like screen sharing, should reach all WhatsApp users in the coming weeks.
In addition, WhatsApp beta testers can use an iPhone to correct image captions.