Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, unveiled a new screen-sharing feature for WhatsApp, putting the messaging giant in direct competition with prominent video conferencing tools like Microsoft Meet, Google Meet, Zoom, and Apple’s FaceTime.
Launched this morning, this new addition promises a more immersive video call experience, enabling users to seamlessly share documents, images, and even shopping carts during video interactions.
Initiated as a beta test for select Android users in May, this feature mirrors the screen-sharing functionalities on platforms like Google Meet. Users can effortlessly share specific applications or their entire screen by merely tapping the 'Share' icon.
As confirmed by WhatsApp to TechCrunch, this feature is gradually being rolled out to users on Android, iOS, and Windows Desktop, indicating a broad user access shortly.
Complementing this, WhatsApp has also integrated Landscape mode for video calls, allowing for a more expansive viewing angle, especially beneficial during screen-sharing sessions.
WhatsApp, having offered video calls since November 2016, continually enhances its services to remain at the forefront of communication tools. The recent additions of picture-in-picture support for iOS and the ability to share short video messages further amplify its commitment to user experience enhancement.
Screen-sharing, a staple in many video conferencing platforms, was also introduced to Apple's FaceTime via the SharePlay feature in 2021. However, WhatsApp's extension of this feature to Android, iOS, and desktop users alike showcases its ambition to be a versatile platform for all.
