Twin Design / ShuttershockFacebook clearly has big plans for WhatsApp, and it’s just now starting to roll them out to users. Recently, the Android version of WhatsApp was updated with the ability to make voice calls, and now, some users have spotted a new WhatsApp button Facebook, that lets them send Facebook statuses as messages to their contacts.
It’s the first sign we’ve seen of WhatsApp integration into Facebook, and it appears to be available to only a few users, who are probably beta testers. The WhatsApp button was spotted in the 31.0.0.7.13 version of Facebook’s Android app, and is nowhere to be found in v32. Luckily, some enterprising user posted a few screenshots, which were found by GeekTime, to give us an idea of how it works.
Typically, when you see a post on Facebook, you have the option to Like, Comment, or Share the post. With WhatsApp integration, you also get the option to send the post to one of your contacts with the click of a dedicated button. If Facebook does place a WhatsApp button in its app, it could make it easier for users to share Facebook stories with their friends more quickly. After all, most people check their text messages much more often than they do their Facebook alerts.
Of course, WhatsApp integration could also prove to be a double edged sword for Facebook, in that it could take users away from using Facebook Messenger to share updates quickly. Regardless, the feature is still just in testing, so it’s too early to say what kind of impact it will have on the social network’s plans for world domination. Rumors also indicate that Facebook’s plans for WhatsApp integration likely extend far beyond simple messaging implications into the realm of online voice calls and advertising.
WhatsApp finally lets you edit sent messages. Here’s how to do it
WhatsApp has announced a much-requested edit feature that lets you alter a message within 15 minutes of sending it.
“From correcting a simple misspelling to adding extra context to a message, we’re excited to bring you more control over your chats,” Meta-owned WhatsApp said in a blog post introducing the handy feature.
What is WhatsApp? How to use the app, tips, tricks, and more
There’s been no shortage of instant messaging apps over the past decade, as the rise of advanced smartphone platforms has created the need for more sophisticated ways to communicate than traditional SMS text messages allowed for.
In fact, the Apple App Store and Google Play Store are both littered with apps that promised to be the next big thing in mobile communications. Yet, many of those fell by the wayside as they failed to achieve the critical mass of users needed to make them useful. After all, apps designed for communicating with others don’t do you much good unless enough folks are using them. Luckily, WhatsApp made our list of the best iPhone Apps and our infamous list of the best Android apps out there.
