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WhatsApp has started a wider rollout that lets users share Live Photos on iOS and Motion Photos on Android, while also introducing new Meta AI backgrounds and camera effects for calls and in-chat photos. The update aims to preserve motion and sound, improve video-call visuals, and streamline calling and translation features.
Smoother sharing with Live Photos and Motion Photos
Live Photos — Apple’s feature that records roughly 1.5 seconds before and after a shot — can now be sent in their native format on WhatsApp. Android users will see equivalent Motion Photos. That means images keep their short motion and audio instead of arriving as static pictures or low-quality GIFs.
When you open a shared Live Photo in WhatsApp’s image viewer, a small Live Photo icon appears; tap it to enable or disable the moving effect. An iPhone-sent Live Photo will show up as a Motion Photo on Android devices, keeping the experience consistent across platforms.
Meta AI backgrounds and new camera effects
WhatsApp is also expanding its visual tools with Meta AI-powered backgrounds for video calls and for photos and videos captured directly inside chats. These AI backgrounds place you in virtual environments or stylized scenes, and they build on the app’s existing video-call filters and AR effects.
The company has been experimenting with filters and AR tools for some time, and recent releases included sets of curated filters and backgrounds, plus tweaks like Touch up and Low Light modes. The new Meta AI layer makes it easier to add creative or privacy-friendly backgrounds without third-party apps.
Message translations and a simpler calling interface
Beyond images and visuals, WhatsApp has rolled out Message Translations to both Android and iOS, enabling users to translate chat messages directly within the app. This complements other AI-driven conveniences and helps cross-language conversations flow more naturally.
WhatsApp has also refined the group calling UI by merging video and audio call buttons into a single menu, reducing clutter and making it simpler to start or join calls from group chats.
Conclusion
These updates show WhatsApp’s push to modernize media sharing and calling—preserving Live/Motion Photo fidelity, adding Meta AI backgrounds and enhanced filters, and improving cross-language and calling features. For users who frequently send short live moments or rely on group calls, the improvements should make everyday conversations feel smoother and more expressive.
Source: neowin
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