With over two billion users in 180 countries, there is no doubt that WhatsApp is the largest messaging app in the world.
But it looks like the Meta-owned platform has made another shrewd move in a bid to lure users away from video conferencing giant Zoom.
WhatsApp has revealed that it is rolling out filters and backgrounds for video calls in a bid to spice up personal and work video calls.
Virtual video chat backgrounds, already used by Zoom, help maintain your privacy by hiding your real surroundings.
Meanwhile, filters can freshen up your look and inject some much-needed fun into the process, especially if it’s a boring work call.
With approximately two billion monthly active users, WhatsApp is the most popular mobile messaging application worldwide (file photo)
According to Meta, filters and backgrounds can be selected when the individual or group video call has started.
In a blog post, WhatsApp said the filters and backgrounds will be available to everyone “in the coming weeks,” both for one-on-one video chats and group video chats.
“WhatsApp conversations should always be fun and expressive, and today,” the blog post reads.
‘That’s why we’re implementing filters and backgrounds to make your video calls even more attractive.
“With these new effects, you can now change your background or add a filter during a video call to give it a more personal touch.”
According to Meta, filters and backgrounds can be selected when an individual or group video chat has started.
During the call, users simply tap the effect icons at the top right of the screen, which displays selections.
There are 10 filters to choose from: warm, cool, black and white, duo, frosted glass, light leak, dreamy, prismatic light, fisheye and “vintage TV”.
There are also 10 new backgrounds: blur, living room, office, cafe, pebbles, foodie, smoosh, beach, sunset, celebration and forest.
Some of the backgrounds are photographs, while others are colorful illustrations.
There are 10 filters to choose from: dreamy (pictured, center) warm, cool, black and white, duo, frosted glass, light leak, dreamy, prism light, fisheye and “vintage TV”.
And there are 10 backgrounds: office (pictured, center) blurred, living room, cafe, pebbles, foodie, smoosh, beach, sunset, celebration and forest.
WhatsApp explains: ‘Filters are designed to help you create a more fun atmosphere, whether by adding a pop of color or creating a more artistic feel to your video.
“With the backdrops, you can maintain the privacy of your surroundings and transport yourself to a cozy coffee shop or comfortable living room for a cleaner, more refined look.”
WhatsApp is also adding “retouch” and “low light” options that improve “the look and brightness of your surroundings, making your video calls more vibrant and enjoyable.”
In its announcement, the Meta platform did not mention any rivals in video conferencing.
But the move is a sure way to get people off platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet and onto WhatsApp.
Zoom gained popularity during the coronavirus lockdown, as did other platforms such as WebEx, Microsoft Teams and Skype (file photo)
These video conferencing platforms gained popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic, when employees were forced to work from home.
Even four years later, many companies are barely getting their employees back into the office, while many more still have no plans to do so.
According to a recent study, video conferencing remains an important part of modern life as people continue to work remotely and attend virtual events.
The study found that a blurry background or an animated video background is tiring because it stimulates the brain too much.
Millions of people use WhatsApp for work, even though the product was originally focused on facilitating personal connections between friends and family.
WhatsApp used to be solely for SMS-like text messages, but launched voice calling for its mobile app in 2015 and video calling the following year.
