WhatsApp beta update provides flexibility through additional features that include uploading images, video and GIFs plus status updates that disappear after a 24-hour period has lapsed. The Facebook-owned social media platform seems to inherit some of Instagram's key features that were introduced in Snapchat Stories.

While tests rolled out for iOS, Android and Windows smartphones will follow suit shortly after. Users can compliment text updates with videos or pictures similar to how it is done in Stories, then they can opt to make the status disappear after 24 hours. This setup allows strong status privacy as they get replaced with newer ones without permanently displaying the old posts.

BGR described the new status as basically pictures or videos with cartoonish texts written against green backdrops. Doodles and stickers can also be added for an extra catchy effect. According to Twitter user WABetaInfo, the upcoming WhatsApp update will also feature an overhauled user interface. This will affect the layout of the conversation screens. Further, Android and Windows phone can also enjoy the quick camera tab and a floating action button. The latter feature is already available for iOS for quite sometime now but not on other operating systems yet.

Make no mistake about it, WhatsApp is still in beta testing and isn't quite done with the final version just yet. There is still a possibility that other features might get scrapped or newer ones will be introduced later. This is similar to the much-anticipated, yet under development revoke and edit system for unread messages. Of all these extras, WhatsApp has limited the tests to developers and not yet deployed an open beta.

To recall, WhatsApp drastically introduced updates that affect not only the users interface and functionality but security as well. WhatsApp rolled out a two-step verification system where an extra layer of authentication was placed. Other social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn have already introduced the two-step verification in their respective services.