WhatsApp adds support for in-line Instagram and Facebook videos on iOS

When you share YouTube videos on WhatsApp, your recipient will be able to watch the video right from the conversation thread. The same thing can be done now for Instagram and Facebook videos, at least for iOS users. WhatsApp brings these features to the 2.18.51 update of the app. It also brings more feature to group chats, including the ability to add or revoke administrator privileges of other users in the chat as well as the ability for active admins to edit the description, icon, and subject of an ongoing chat. The update is currently rolling out to users so you may or may not see it immediately. No word yet when these features will be coming to Android.

Source: Android Central

You can now automatically notify your contacts if you change numbers on WhatsApp

If you want specific contacts to know you’ve changed numbers on WhatsApp, the messaging app is making it easier for you to let your contacts know. The app now has a new “change number” option you can access through Settings > Account > Change number. This will help you migrate everything from your account info, settings, groups, as well as chats (if you don’t change phones). The groups you’re in will be notified automatically. But as was seen in a beta update, you can let individual contacts know as well. You can opt to let all your contacts know, those you’re chatting with, or a specific group of contacts. No word yet when this feature will leave beta.

Source: Android Police

WhatsApp co-founder urges users to delete Facebook

Facebook might own WhatsApp now but it seems one of its co-founders isn’t happy with how the social network is doing business now. Brian Acton, one of the messaging service’s co-founders, took to Twitter with the words, “It is time. #deletefacebook.” And while we don’t know the motivations for his tweet. It seems to be a big concern as it is only one of five tweets Acton has posted in the last eight years. The tweet does come at a time when Facebook is under fire for alleged misuse of 50 million users’ private data by data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica, which has reportedly mass harvested data from the social network. Reports suggest this might have influenced the 2016 US Presidential election and UK Brexit vote.

Acton has invested US$50 million last month to the Signal Foundation to help keep encrypted messaging service Signal running. And while this can be seen as a direct competitor to WhatsApp, Acton hasn’t said anything about dropping the messaging service. 

Source: Android Authority

BlackBerry accuses Facebook of infringement over its messaging patents

CNN

BlackBerry has filed a lawsuit in California against Facebook and its subsidiaries WhatsApp and Instagram for what it says is infringement of its messaging patents. The company says the social media company has “co-opted” its patented innovations related to security, user interface, and battery life. But Facebook brushes off the suit claiming it’s just a desperate move from the beleaguered company. "Blackberry's suit sadly reflects the current state of its messaging business," Paul Grewal, Facebook's deputy general counsel, said in a statement. "Having abandoned its efforts to innovate, BlackBerry is now looking to tax the innovation of others. We intend to fight."

The patents cited in the lawsuit describe the key elements of modern day messaging including those that deal with notifications for the total number of unread messages, photo tagging, and messaging time stamps. It hasn’t been cited how much BlackBerry is asking in terms of damages. But it seems seeking money from the patents isn’t the only motivation, the company seems to want to partner with Facebook. "As a cybersecurity and embedded software leader, BlackBerry's view is that Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp could make great partners in our drive toward a securely connected future," BlackBerry’s spokesperson said in the statement. "We continue to hold this door open to them."

Source: CNN