WhatsApp is adding a brand new feature in its latest update: the ability to share any file type. WhatsApp previously supported only documents, photos, and videos, but now users can share any file up to 100 MB. This new update could prove to be incredibly useful for people who want to share executable or other obscure files.WhatsApp has upgraded its features to allow users send any type of file.
- Prior to the upgrade, users of the instant messaging app were restricted to sharing only the PDF file formats.
- But the new update makes WhatsApp more useful and multi-purpose.
- Users will be able to share Android apps, Android APK installers, MP3s, Word files, Excel files, among others.
- The feature also works on the web-based platform.
- Users will now also be able to select photos and videos straight from the camera screen, rather than going back and forth.
- The camera interface will enable users swipe up and view their photo and video gallery.
- WhatsApp recently introduced a new status feature which shares similar characteristics with Instagram and Snapchat stories.
It could also be useful for people who use WhatsApp at work who would otherwise have to share via email. Combined with the desktop and web apps, this makes WhatsApp a powerful lightweight messaging service that you can use with teams or within a small business, in addition to using with friends.
"There is a huge benefit to being able to send any file type through WhatsApp. More importantly, the ability to send uncompressed media up to 100MB, means that activists can privately share extremely high quality photos and video for human rights purposes," said Nathan Freitas, Director of Guardian Project, a mobile security software collective, in an emailed statement to Mashable.
"While there is some risk here that WhatsApp could cause the spread of malicious malware versions of Android apps, there is also great benefit that people can share apps directly, without the need for app stores. This is helpful for people who live in countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, and China where certain apps are banned or censored, or where Google Play doesn't exist at"
So, what else is new? Well, based on this changelog, WhatsApp also gains a number of design tweaks related to audio and video calls.
Freitas said that there would be no risk on iOS, since the Apple App store process is much more locked down.
Damon McCoy, a Computer Science and Engineering professor at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, said that "most cellphones unless you root them will only allow you to run apps if they’re from official stores." In regions where rooting is more common, this could potentially open up users to malware.
While most people only use the app on their phone, the web and desktop clients could be used for file sharing — which would mean that the same threats of clicking on links and downloading files on the web would apply.
Users now also have the ability to swipe up in the in-app camera interface to see their photo and video gallery, and tap and hold to select text to bold, italicize and strikethrough while in chats.
Because the update is rolling out, and WhatsApp hasn't made the latest version of the app available to everyone at once, it may take some time before it comes to your device.
Though it started as a basic chat app, WhatsApp has steadily added more advanced features like video calling. The new update also adds a small but neat feature — opening to camera view automatically shows a roll of your recent photos and videos.
In some countries it’s common practice to root your phone — in regions like this might be more of a security concern. Still, we think it's worth a download. The update rolled out to both iOS and Android users today.
Post a Comment