WhatsApp is officially rolling out the snapchat-like ‘Status’ on all platforms

WhatsApp has announced in a blog post that the company is rolling out the new ‘status’ feature on multiple platforms. One thing to note is that BlackBerry and Nokia users (if any) will not get this latest update. The company detailed the progress of the app from 2009 when there was no messaging/chat feature in the app. WhatsApp was originally meant to be an app which tells your contacts about what you are doing using a basic ‘My Status’ tab on the original iPhone.

One interesting thing to note is that the company always planned to improve the basic ‘text’ only status functionality of the app. The company will coincide the announcement of the new ‘Status’ functionality with 24 February, the 8th birthday of WhatsApp. This is not a new or sudden development and we reported it nearly three months back when the feature was present in WhatsApp as a hidden feature. We have detailed how the new ‘status’ feature works along with the time when WhatsApp tested the functionality almost a week back.

One thing to note is that this is almost the same approach of how Snapchat and its ‘Snaps’ work, right from disappearing after 24 hours to the ability to doodle on the video or photo that we are adding to the status. The company is also working on a potential ‘Business’ profiles feature which will enable individuals or brands to reach users on WhatsApp.

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from http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/whatsapp-is-officially-rolling-out-the-snapchat-like-status-on-all-platforms-363169.html