WhatsApp has released a new version of its instant messaging client that allows you to set colourful Status updates. The new development is an another attempt by the Facebook-owned team to evolve its original "text-only" Status feature with vivid slides that stay active for a whole day.
The new change in WhatsApp's Status is rolling out on Android and iOS running devices. It mainly lets you add a text status with a colourful background as well as emojis. You can also change the text format to make it appropriate for your message.
Notably, the latest change in WhatsApp is an extension to the ephemeral Status feature that was debuted in February. That update was primarily designed to let you add photos and videos to your status.
All about Status
At the time of announcing the last update, co-founder Jan Koum had highlighted that the importance of the Status feature on WhatsApp. The messaging app got its existence in February 2009 as a solution to showcase statuses next to the names of individuals, and Koum had actively worked with his partner Brian Acton to enhance statuses.
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"Every year, when Brian and I would plan projects to work on, we always talked about improving and evolving this original 'text-only' Status feature," Koum had written in a blog post while releasing the visualised Status update.
Update on the Web
Alongside providing the rich experience, WhatsApp has brought its Status update feature to its Web version, as reported by tech website VentureBeat. This means that you can now update your present status right using the WhatsApp Web client, which operates as a remote version of the official WhatsApp app on Android and iOS.
WhatsApp has over a billion users worldwide. This userbase is already making the app the leading instant messaging app on mobile platforms. But hosting messages through text, videos and audio isn't enough to survive in the market that sees tons of new features from competitors such as Google Allo and Apple's iMessage. This is the reason behind improving the nostalgic Status feature, which has not yet been mimicked by any of the two competing apps.
In July, WhatsApp revealed that Status on its platform has over 250 million daily active users. The app sports a dedicated tab that has largely influenced users to set their status updates for the next 24 hours.
