WhatsApp is preparing to roll-out a major upgrade to video calls that'll introduce filters and backgrounds.
In a shake-up that mirrors popular video conferencing software like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Team, you'll now be able to personalise your appearance during calls. Filters allow you to tweak the colours of your video feed to add warmth or great a more artistic feel for your video.
Using AI, WhatsApp is able to separate you from your surroundings to insert a new background — from a cozy coffee shop to a beach at sunset. WhatsApp is the most popular messaging service on the planet, with more than 2 billion users across Android and iPhone.
WhatsApp will begin with 10 filters and 10 backgrounds to customise the look of your video call feed for everyone on the call. It works across iPhone and Android, on 1:1 and group calls
META PRESS OFFICE
Owned and operated by Meta, the Mark Zuckerberg-owned parent company behind Facebook and Instagram, the latest announcement for WhatsApp comes just a few weeks after it confirmed plans to merge chats across Messenger, Signal, and other messaging services to comply with EU law.
Both iPhone and Android users will be able to take advantage of the 10 filter choices and 10 background options, designed to make conversations more engaging and fun. The new filters will include Warm, Cool, Black & White, Light Leak, Dreamy, Prism lLight, Fisheye, Vintage TV, Frosted Glass and Duo tone.
When it comes to customsable backgrounds, WhatsApp users will be able to pick from Blur, Living Room, Office, Cafe, Pebbles, Foodie, Smoosh, Beach, Sunset, Celebration and Forest, to begin with. No doubt, the Meta-owned service will introduce more options in subsequent free updates to the messaging service.
Switching your surroundings for one of these options can create a playful atmosphere, or maintain your privacy by hiding what's visible in-frame behind you. For example, one could add a splash of colour with the Warm filter or transport themselves to a cosy coffee shop using the Cafe background.
The backgrounds are particularly useful for hiding clutter or to make video calls more professional or relaxed as needed. And that's not all included in the next WhatsApp upgrade.
Engineers working at the messaging app have also cooked-up two features to improve video call quality, dubbed Touch up and Low Light. According to a blog post published by the company, "Touch up and Low Light options can help you feel more confident and comfortable by naturally enhancing the look and brightness of your environment, making your video calls more vibrant and enjoyable."
Even if you're sat in a gloomy room with poor lighting conditions, these tools should better illuminate your face and smooth imperfections. Google introduced skin-smoothing effects during Meet video calls in October last year.
To access these new features during a 1:1 or group video call, all you need to do is tap the effects icon on the top right of the screen. This will bring up the selection of filters and backgrounds to choose from, these will be applied in real-time during the video call.
Everyone on the call will be able to see the background, filters, or Touch up and Low Light effects — you can't pick and choose who sees the enhanced appearance.
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WhatsApp has confirmed these new features will be available to all users "in the coming weeks", but there's no set release date across iPhone or Android, so you'll have to patient if you haven't already got access.
Summarising the new additions, WhatsApp stated: "Conversations on WhatsApp should always feel fun and expressive and today, we're rolling out filters and backgrounds to make your video calls even more engaging."
