WhatsApp adds awesome new features for your photos (but there's still no GIF support)

WHATSAPP has pushed-out a colossal new update to its messaging app that brings a slew of new camera features – but iPhone users will have to wait before they can get their hands on the new features

WhatsApp just rolled-out a slew of new features as part of an update to its Android app this morning.
The massive update to the world's most popular messaging service brings a host of new camera and photo features.

The update will be coming to Apple devices soon but for now, it's only available via the Google Play Store.
Android users are now able to customise and doodle on their favourite photos before their send them to individual contacts, or group chats within the app.
You can also overlay emoji to the pictures, as well as adding your own handwritten notes in various colours.
The new interface is very similar to the customisation options available in SnapChat, as well as included in Apple's Messages app, following the update to iOS 10.
 

After the update, whenever you capture a new photo or video in WhatsApp – or share one that's already saved to your smartphone – you'll automatically see the new editing tools pop-up.
From this menu you can then draw or add emojis to the image before it's sent.
Text can also be added which a range of fonts and colours also included.
The WhatsApp camera feature now supports the front-facing flash so you can take the perfect selfie.
In low light and at night, this will brighten up your screen and improve the quality of your photo.

WhatsApp has also added a convenient zooming feature for recording videos – just slide your finger up and down to zoom in and out.
And to quickly switch between front and rear facing cameras, double tap on the screen.
The news comes as WhatsApp introduced a new feature that lets users tag individual friends in group chats – sending them a notification, even if they’ve muted the conversation.
To tag someone, open an existing group conversation – or start a new one – and then simply start typing an @ symbol.
This will summon up a list of the members of the group.

 

You can tag multiple contacts in a single message by tapping on multiple names at once.
It's also possible to tag people you have yet to save to your address book, but are included in the same group chat as you.
Unfortunately, the new addition is not yet available in the standalone desktop app.

Tagging someone will drop them a notification, highlighting that they have specifically been called out in there group chat.
This notification will come through – even if they have previously muted the conversation.
WhatsApp also recently added the ability to quote messages and photographs in a group chat to make it clear what exactly you are responding to.

 Sources: express