Zoom’s dominance is being challenged as WhatsApp introduced the ability to share screens during video calls, enhancing the platform’s video calling experience.
The move puts WhatsApp in direct competition with established video conferencing apps like Microsoft Mate, Google Mate, Zoom, and Apple’s FaceTime.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the new feature on a Facebook post and Instagram.
The screen sharing option, unveiled as the latest addition, allows users to share content ranging from documents to photos and even their shopping carts with participants during video calls. .
Initially launched in late May to select Android beta testers, screen sharing on WhatsApp is accessible via the “Share” icon.
Users are given the option to share a specific app or their entire screen, similar to functionality found on widely used video conferencing platforms such as Google Meet and Zoom.
According to WhatsApp, the phased rollout of the screen sharing feature has started on Android, iOS and Windows desktop platforms.
This means that while the feature may not be visible to all users immediately, its availability is expected to expand soon.
In addition to screen sharing, WhatsApp has introduced landscape mode for video calls, which enhances the viewing experience by offering a wider and more immersive perspective than the current portrait mode.
This landscape mode is especially valuable in combination with screen sharing.
Video calling has been a feature of WhatsApp for over six years, initially rolling out to all users in November 2016. However, to stay competitive, the messaging app is expanding its services.
Recent improvements include introducing picture-in-picture support for video calls on iOS and allowing the sharing of short video messages in chats. The importance of video as a primary communication tool for consumers has driven these developments.
The inclusion of screen sharing marks an important step in the evolution of video conferencing apps, catering not only to professionals but also to general users.
Apple’s FaceTime integrated a similar feature, Share Play, in 2021, allowing iOS users to share their screens locally. WhatsApp has expanded this concept by making screen sharing accessible on Android, iOS and desktop platforms.
