WhatsApp has recently launched a new set of features aimed at enhancing the video calling experience for its users. As more people rely on video calls for both personal and professional communication, WhatsApp’s latest update seeks to provide more customization and personalization options during calls.
This exciting update introduces a collection of new filters and backgrounds, making it possible for users to choose from a range of effects to apply during video chats.
For years, WhatsApp has been a leader in instant messaging, but it lagged behind other video conferencing apps like Zoom and Google Meet in terms of video call customization. With this new feature, WhatsApp is catching up and allowing users to create a more personalized, engaging, and professional environment during video calls.
The launch of these features was announced by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on his official channel. With 10 new filters and 10 background options, WhatsApp has made it possible to use these effects in both one-on-one and group video calls. Whether you want to blur your messy background or switch to a vibrant office environment, these options provide a fresh way to communicate visually. Below, we will explore each new filter and background option in detail, along with additional features introduced in this update.
New Filters and Backgrounds: What’s Available?
With this latest update, WhatsApp has introduced the following filters:
- Warm: Adds a soft, cozy warmth to the video.
- Cool: Provides a cooler tone to give your call a more relaxed feel.
- Black & White: Converts the video to a monochrome effect for a classic look.
- Light Leak: Adds a dreamy light leak effect, making the video look artistic.
- Prism Light: Includes a prism-like light refraction effect for a unique visual experience.
- Fisheye: Distorts the video with a fisheye lens effect, creating a more whimsical appearance.
- Vintage TV: Applies a grainy texture reminiscent of old television screens.
- Frosted Glass: Adds a frosted, translucent effect that blurs the video slightly.
- Duo Tone: Mixes two contrasting colors for a striking effect.
- Dreamy: Softens the video, making it look surreal.
The backgrounds introduced include:
- Blur: Blurs the entire background, focusing on the subject.
- Living Room: Simulates a cozy living room setting.
- Office: Provides a clean, professional office backdrop.
- Café: Adds a lively café atmosphere to your video.
- Pebbles: A minimalist background with pebbles to keep the focus on you.
- Foodie: A background that looks like a food blog, perfect for cooking-related calls.
- Smoosh: A colorful background with smooth gradients.
- Beach: Makes it look like you’re on a beach vacation.
- Sunset: Adds a picturesque sunset to your video.
- Celebration: Great for birthday or party calls, with festive elements like balloons and confetti.
- Forest: Provides a serene background with trees and greenery.
Additional Features to Enhance Video Calls
Apart from the new filters and backgrounds, WhatsApp has also introduced a few additional features that users will find useful:
- Touch Up: This feature helps smoothen the appearance of your skin, similar to the filters seen on Instagram and Snapchat. It is designed to enhance the look of the person on the video, making it ideal for professional calls.
- Low Light: This setting adjusts the video feed to make it brighter when in dimly lit environments. This way, you don’t have to worry about appearing shadowy during late-night video calls.
These features are particularly useful for those who work from home or participate in calls in various lighting conditions. The Touch Up feature, in particular, is a game-changer, as it helps maintain a professional appearance without the need for extensive makeup or perfect lighting.
Why These Features Matter for Users
The addition of filters and backgrounds to WhatsApp video calls significantly elevates the app’s functionality. Previously, users often relied on external tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams to access these kinds of features. Now, with everything integrated into WhatsApp, there’s less need to switch between apps for a customized video calling experience.
Having the option to blur your background is useful for maintaining privacy. For example, if you’re on a work call from home and don’t want colleagues to see your living space, the blur or office background provides a clean alternative. Likewise, the Touch Up feature helps you look more polished, which is helpful for those sudden, unplanned video calls where you might not feel camera-ready.
How to Use the New Filters and Backgrounds
To access the new features, simply follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp on your device and start a video call.
- During the call, look for the effects icon in the top right corner.
- Tap on the icon, and you will see a variety of filters and backgrounds to choose from.
- Scroll through the options to select your preferred filter or background.
- The selected effect will be applied instantly, and you can switch between different filters and backgrounds seamlessly during the call.
This ease of use is what makes WhatsApp’s new update so appealing. The settings are accessible within the call itself, so you can adjust your appearance without needing to exit and re-enter the conversation.
Competing with Other Platforms
With this update, WhatsApp aims to catch up to its competitors like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams, which have offered similar features for quite some time. The introduction of these new options also suggests that WhatsApp is focusing more on enhancing its video call capabilities, possibly targeting a professional audience that relies heavily on video conferencing for remote work and meetings.
Moreover, since WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging apps globally, integrating these features directly within the platform could potentially attract even more users to rely on WhatsApp for their video call needs.
Future Updates to Expect
The current rollout includes 10 filters and 10 backgrounds, but future updates may introduce more options and further customization capabilities. According to Meta, this is just the beginning of WhatsApp’s plan to enhance its video call experience, and users can expect more features in the coming months.
WhatsApp’s effort to make video calls more engaging is a welcome change, and with the introduction of filters, backgrounds, and additional features like Touch Up and Low Light settings, users now have more ways to express themselves and create an environment that best suits their call requirements.
