WhatsApp for Android has been testing a new feature for users that will allow them to send motion photos.
As per reports, the new feature of motion photos was spotted in the latest beta version of WhatsApp and might be available to some beta testers. With this, users can send motion photos, which capture the audio and movement before and after a shot is taken.
Separately, the instant messaging platform is also said to be working on usernames that users can share with others instead of their phone numbers.
In the new feature, the motion photos will be denoted by a new icon with a play button surrounded by a ring with a small circle. This icon will be shown on the image selection interface, where users can select images from their gallery to send to another user or a group.
The new icon is visible in the top right corner, and tapping it will allow users to send an image as a motion photo. WhatsApp describes motion photos as “a recording of the moments before & after a photo was taken.” The instant messaging platform will also support audio in these recordings.
Notably, motion photos are a feature available on many Android smartphones. Samsung ships this capability as Motion Photos, while Google ships it in Pixel smartphones as Top Shot. Users will only be able to send these recordings if their device supports it inherently. However, even if a device does not allow users to capture motion photos, they can still view them when others send them.
