Google Assistant can make WhatsApp calls on Android

Whether you want to make a video or audio call on WhatsApp, Android users can ask Google Assistant to make the call for them. Google's virtual assistant interfaces with different third-party messaging services, so this addition doesn't come as a surprise. The caveat is that it only works through Android, for now. We presume the feature could make its way to other Google Assistant-supported devices, but for now, you need to have an Android smartphone. All you need to say to have Assistant make the call is "Hey Google, WhatsApp video [insert name of contact]."

Source: 9to5Google

Facebook will no longer pre-install its apps on Huawei phones

Embed from Getty Images

Facebook is the latest US company to comply with the country’s ban on doing business with the Chinese tech company. The social media company announced it would no longer  the pre-installation of its apps on Huawei phones. According to a source familiar with the matter, this affects phones that haven’t left Huawei’s factory yet. Current Huawei owners can still use the apps and receive app updates, but new units won’t have Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram pre-installed. This doesn’t mean you won’t be able to install the apps yourself. As it stands, Huawei devices still have access to the Play Store, so you will be able to download the apps there. But if the ban continues, then Huawei will be losing access to some of the most popular apps out there.

Source: Reuters

WhatsApp on iOS can now be locked behind Face ID or Touch ID

Depending on what iPhone model you have, you can now use either Face ID or Touch ID to restrict access to your WhatsApp. If you have the newest version (ver. 2.19.20) of the app, this feature can be activated from its Privacy menu within the Account Settings. You can’t set it on a per-chat basis, though. Also, if you have message previews turned on, you’ll still be able to see and reply to messages without having to unlock the app. You can also answer calls. But if you want to dive deeper into the app, you’re going to need to unlock it with either Face ID or Touch ID. There isn’t any word yet when the feature might make its way to Android.

Source: The Verge

Facebook’s looking to integrate WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger chats

BBC

Facebook is looking to compete with the likes of Google and Apple with its newest plans. The social media company is considering integrating its messaging services on Instagram with WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. The three services will remain as standalone apps, but each will be linked in a way that will let messages travel between the services. Facebook is said to be at the start of what it considers a “long process.” If successful, this means a Facebook user can communicate directly with someone who has a WhatsApp or Instagram account. The timeline to complete this project is end of 2019 or early next year.

What Facebook can gain with this project is it’ll no longer need to develop competing versions of new features (like Stories) or allow businesses to reach more potential customers across the different platforms with its ability to share data easily. Facebook wants people to spend more time on its products, and this is one way they think that could happen. "We want to build the best messaging experiences we can; and people want messaging to be fast, simple, reliable and private," said Facebook in a statement. "We're working on making more of our messaging products end-to-end encrypted and considering ways to make it easier to reach friends and family across networks." But this also raises a lot of questions, which Wired has detailed in this story.

Source: BBC