WhatsApp is today launching a brand new video player that enables picture-in-picture. In addition, the messaging service is testing a new technique to outsmart annoying spam messages.
WhatsApp picture-in-picture video player now available
WhatsApp has activated the new video player on the side of its servers. So you don’t have to download a new update from the App Store to get started. As long as you have the most recent version (2.18.11 or newer) you can use the feature.
It works like this: once you receive or send a (YouTube) video, you can play it without leaving WhatsApp. The video now appears in its own window that is overlaid on the conversation. You can move this window around the screen and click away with the push of a button or let it fill the entire screen.
The YouTube picture-in-picture function makes it possible to continue talking to someone while you are watching a video on a different part of the screen.
WhatsApp takes anti-spam measures
In addition, the messaging service appears to be testing a new way to combat spam and fake messages. A new algorithm continuously searches for messages that are sent in large quantities in a short period of time. While WhatsApp does not refuse forwarding of these types of messages, it does notify the sender and recipient that the message has “been forwarded many times.”