WhatsApp has said that it is working on a picture-in-picture mode for iOS that will let you open up other apps while on a video call.
In a post on the WhatsApp blog, the company says the feature’s currently in beta testing and that it will become widely available starting next year.
”While WhatsApp is best known for bringing private and secure messaging to users across the world, more and more people are using WhatsApp as a way to connect with voice and video calls. That’s why over the course of this year we’ve launched several improvements to calling on WhatsApp, for catching up with your loved ones, colleagues, and communities securely.We’ve introduced new features for better connecting as a group on calls:
- 32 person calls: Just like with voice calls, you can now do video calls on your mobile with up to 32 people, four times the number of people than before
- Message or mute call participants: Long pressing on a participant will enlarge the video or audio feed and allow you to either mute or message them separately while keeping the calls going
- Call links: Whether making a last minute call or planning ahead, you can easily invite people to a group call by sharing a call link
We’ve also made design changes for a more seamless calling experience:
- Colorful waveforms: Now you can easily see who is speaking if their camera is off
- In-call banner notifications: See when someone new joins a group call.
- Picture in Picture on iOS: Now in beta testing and rolling out in the new year, easily multitask while on a call thanks to a minimized in-call video screen
As always, all calls on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted by default to protect people’s privacy and safety.
We’ll keep making improvements next year as we continue supporting high quality, private calling on WhatsApp wherever you are in the world.”
