WhatsApp has finally rolled out a new feature for iOS users where they can play YouTube videos right within the instant messaging app.
As of 18 January, when your friend sends a YouTube link to you on WhatsApp, you are no longer required to move out of the messaging app to watch it.
The YouTube clip will play inside a floating window on your smartphone.
According to WABetaInfo, a website that tracks WhatsApp Beta programmes, users need to update their WhatsApp version to the 2.18.11 update on Apple App Store, that brings bug fixes and general improvements, in order to remotely receive the activation of this feature.
To view a YouTube video on WhatsApp, users simply have to share or receive the URL in a chat and they will see the play button in a bubble. Earlier, when users clicked on the link, the YouTube video would open in YouTube app installed on the smartphones.
Fortunately, WhatsApp has worked to allow videos not to be stopped when the user changes the chatWABetaInfo
The update is yet to come to Android and Windows users. WhatsApp has over 200 million monthly active users in India and 1.2 billion users worldwide. The Facebook-owned social messaging platform has been touting itself to the Indian users, where it is expected to bring in-app payment feature in the coming months.
In all probability, WhatsApp will cater to payments via UPI (Unified Payment Interface) to appease the Indian government and in many ways competing with platforms like Google’s Tez and Paytm’s own payment service, that interestingly also lets you do messaging ala WhatsApp.
Also Read: Paytm vs Google Tez vs BHIM: The Best Digital Payment App Is...
Interestingly, Tez and WhatsApp’s payment feature will go up against BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) which has been heavily marketed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself.
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