14 DAY TRIAL // WhatsApp has recently confirmed that support for the Picture in Picture mode on iOS would go live at some point in 2023.
The feature is currently in beta, and it allows users to use their phones even during a call on WhatsApp. The minimized video call UI can be moved across the screen, and WhatsApp says the same experience would start rolling out to users next year.
In a post published this week, WhatsApp says 2022 witnessed the debut of several important features, including the support for 32-person calls.
“While WhatsApp is best known for bringing private and secure messaging to people across the world, more people are using it as a way to connect with voice and video calls. That’s why over the course of this year we’ve launched several improvements to calling on WhatsApp, for catching up with friends and family, colleagues and communities securely,” the company says.
The following features were added in 2022 and are now live for all users on WhatsApp:
- 32-person calls: You can now start a video or voice call on your mobile device with up to 32 people — four times the previous amount.
- Message or mute participants: Long pressing on a participant will enlarge the video or audio feed and allow you to either mute or message them separately, while keeping the calls going.
- Call links: Whether you’re making a last-minute call or planning one ahead, you can easily invite people to a group call by sharing a call link.
- Colorful waveforms: Now, you can easily see who is speaking if their camera is off.
- In-call banner notifications: See when someone new joins a group call.
Needless to say, WhatsApp says the focus on new capabilities would continue in 2023 as well, so in addition to PiP support on iPhone, expect other features to see daylight as well.