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WhatsApp, the social media platform owned by Meta, has unveiled a new feature that enables users to share their screens during video calls. Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced this addition through posts on his Facebook and Instagram accounts. By offering screen sharing during video calls, Meta aims to further compete with established video-conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Skype. While this feature has been in testing with Android beta users, it is now gradually rolling out to all global users.

Enhancing Video Call Experience and Interface

The newly introduced screen sharing feature on WhatsApp resembles the layout of platforms like Google Meet and Zoom. The shared screen occupies the majority of the display, while participants' video feeds are displayed in small rectangular tiles on the screen's right side. To initiate screen sharing, users can tap the arrow icon that signifies the 'share' option.

Landscape Mode and Accessibility

In addition to screen sharing, the Meta-owned platform has introduced a Landscape mode for video calls, complementing the existing Portrait mode. This enhancement caters to smartphone users, enhancing the legibility of texts and graphics during screen sharing. Meta has commenced rolling out these features across iOS, Android, and Windows devices. Users who don't currently have access to the feature can anticipate its availability soon, as Meta is implementing a phased rollout approach.

Recent WhatsApp Updates and Innovations

Notably, WhatsApp has been actively introducing new functionalities. The platform recently introduced the ability to share short video messages by simply tapping the mic icon used for sending voice messages. With a single tap, the icon transforms into a video camera, allowing users to send video messages lasting up to 60 seconds. These video messages are displayed in a circular format within chat windows.