WhatsApp update to add iOS 10 features; Android beta gains drawing tools

WhatsApp is preparing a major update to align with the public launch of Apple iOS 10. The upcoming version will support new features to be introduced in iOS 10 including Siri API, lock screen access, and rich notifications. Siri API support will enable Siri to send messages and make calls (audio and video) to contacts using WhatsApp. iOS 10 keynote presentation at WWDC was heavily focusing on the upcoming update. This update will empower Siri to do automated tasks which are currently limited to Microsoft’s Cortana. iOS 10 adds the ability to interact with notifications and apps on the lock screen. This will enable users to reply to messages directly from the lock screen. [caption id=“attachment_334399” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  WhatsApp Video Calling, Mentions Feature[/caption] iOS version will come with address book integration to enable quick messages and calls from the contact details page. Rich notifications support for iOS 10 is still in development, but it is not confirmed to make a cut in the upcoming update. Last but not the least, the company has added a ‘Today Widget’ to be included in WhatsApp when you peek of WhatsApp icon using force touch. The widget will allow you to access recent contacts from your chat list. [caption id=“attachment_334401” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  WhatsApp Drawing Tools[/caption] Fo Android users, the company has launched an updated version to the WhatsApp Play Store Beta branch includes Drawing tools for any given photo. The version includes the new forward picker which separates the contact list into two lists. The top portion includes the most frequent contacts and the list on the bottom include the address book in the device.

About WhatsApp 2.16.10 update for iOS 10 https://t.co/E2FajMAcEy #IMPORTANT

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) September 8, 2016

WhatsApp will also introduce an official “Announcements channel” to announce important changes and updates to the users. This feature makes us hopeful about the future rollout of “Channels” by companies or media organisations. Video calls can be enabled for rooted devices in Android, but both users should enable on their end. The feature is not enabled by default but does give us a clear idea about the under interface of video calling. These updates have been cumulated from WABetaInfo on Twitter. [caption id=“attachment_334400” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  WhatsApp Video Calling, Announcement Channel[/caption] “Mention” feature, as previously stated, is ready for a wider rollout but needs to be enabled on rooted devices. One thing to note about the feature is the fact that this is limited to Group conversations and does not work on individual chats. These updates have been