WhatsApp copies Snapchat, launches Status updates that vanish after 24 hours

February 21, 2017

WhatsApp is making arguably its biggest change since it started operations. The chat app has rolled out a new feature called Status that will turn WhatsApp into a sort of social media app. With the Status feature, which will appear as a separate tab within the app users will be able to share GIF, videos and photos with their friends, somewhat similar to how they do it on Facebook and Instagram. But that is the unique bit about the Status feature. The unique bit is that it has been copied from Snapchat, another communication app, and the Status that WhatsApp users post will vanish after 24 hours, just the way they do on Snapchat.

whatsappWhatsApp was testing the feature for a while in beta version of the app. But now it will be rolled out to all users in a gradual manner. To use Status, WhatsApp users will have to update the app. WhatsApp said that all the content posted within the Status tab will also be end-to-end encrypted.

The announcement regarding the Status update was made by Facebook co-founder Jan Koum. "We are excited to announce that, coinciding with WhatsApp's 8th birthday on February 24, we are reinventing the status feature. Starting today, we are rolling out an update to status, which allows you to share photos and videos with your friends and contacts on WhatsApp in an easy and secure way. Yes, even your status updates are end-to-end encrypted," he wrote.

How can you use Status

-- Update WhatsApp. If no update is available for your app, wait for a few days. The rollout of the new feature is gradual.

-- Open the app. You will see the new Status tab in it. From there you can post updates, which will then be shared with your friends. You will be able to control who sees your updates. Also, these updates will vanish after 24 hours.

Will it make WhatsApp complicated?

One of the beauties of WhatsApp is that it is very simple to use. It is a text messaging app before anything else and the simplicity and speed of text messaging on WhatsApp has made it such a big hit. Especially in the early days of WhatsApp people loved this app because it was a fuss-free, uncluttered messaging app unlike say something like WeChat or Nimbuzz that had more features but also a rather complicated user interface.

But of late, WhatsApp is adding more and more features to the app. It has added video chats as well as ability to share different kind of content formats like GIF and all. It has also added the feature that lets users make VoIP calls.

But all those earlier features were still part of the core WhatsApp functionality, which is one-to-one communication. The Status feature however gives WhatsApp a different character. Now it is not just a communication app but also a social media and broadcast app, similar to Twitter, Snapchat or Facebook.

Although Koum doesn't see it that ways. "Just like eight years ago when we first started WhatsApp, this new and improved status feature will let you keep your friends who use WhatsApp easily updated in a fun and simple way," he writes.

Other than the fact that Status may make WhatsApp seem more crowded, there is also the fact that the new feature may also help Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, bring ads to the chat app. Inline ads, similar to what you see on Facebook or Instagram, another app owned by Facebook, will be easy to roll out. They can be deemed updates and can be shown in the Status timeline. Although, it is worth noting that both WhatsApp and Facebook in the past had promised to keep WhatsApp add-free.

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Agencies
June 28,2020

The US space agency has thrown open a challenge to win over Rs 26 lakh, calling the global community to send novel design concepts for compact toilets that can operate in both microgravity and lunar gravity.

NASA is preparing for return to the Moon and innumerable activities to equip, shelter, and otherwise support future astronauts are underway.

The astronauts will be eating and drinking, and subsequently urinating and defecating in microgravity and lunar gravity.

NASA said that while astronauts are in the cabin and out of their spacesuits, they will need a toilet that has all the same capabilities as ones here on Earth.

The public designs for space toilet may be adapted for use in the Artemis lunar landers that take humans back to the Moon.

"Although space toilets already exist and are in use (at the International Space Station, for example), they are designed for microgravity only," the US space agency said in a statement.

NASA's Human Landing System Programme is looking for a next-generation device that is smaller, more efficient, and capable of working in both microgravity and lunar gravity.

The new NASA challenge includes a Technical category and Junior category and the last date to send designs is August 17.

NASA's Artemis Moon mission will land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface by 2024.

The Artemis programme is part of America's broader Moon to Mars exploration approach, in which astronauts will explore the Moon and experience gained there to enable humanity's next giant leap, sending humans to Mars.

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Agencies
January 20,2020

Washington D.C., Jan 20: An American bride asked for money from her invitees so that they can be on the 'exclusive guest list'.

Weddings can be surely expensive. But is it feasible for one to charge the guests to make up for the expenses?

According to Fox News, that is exactly what happened in a recent American wedding. A 19-year-old shared on Reddit that her cousin was getting married on Sunday and announced that she would charge 50 dollars to those who wanted to attend her wedding.

"She said that they can Venmo her money so there won't be no [sic] problems and everyone who paid will be added onto the 'exclusive guest list' which basically means you won't have to wait in line while other guests pay," wrote the user named DaintySheep.

While she refused to pay for entry into her cousin's wedding the bride-to-be contacted the elders in the family which ended up in an embarrassing situation.

"She wanted to get the money she spent on her special day back. I told her I wouldn't be able to come because this was outrageous and that I wish her well on her special day. She contacted my aunt and my aunt called me cheap and rude. My parents offered to pay for my entry, but I refused," continued the disheartened girl.

While in almost every nook and cranny of the world gifting the bride-groom with money is a tradition, asking for money from friends and family to replenish the money spent on a wedding is can be said to be a rare scenario.

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Agencies
June 12,2020

Mumbai, Jun 12: Following an overwhelming response for the mega rights issue of Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries, the partly paid-up rights shares are set to debut on stock exchanges on June 15.

The biggest ever Rs 53,124 crore rights issue was subscribed 1.59 times and received bids worth Rs 84,000 crore on June 3.

Reliance said the rights issue saw a huge investor interest, including from lakhs of small investors and thousands of institutional investors, both Indian and foreign.

In 2019, Ambani said in the Reliance's annual general meeting that the company will be net zero debt by March 2021. The company is on course to achieve its target ahead of the deadline.

"In spite of the COVID-19 crisis and the lockdowns, the due-diligence by Saudi Aramco for the planned investment in the O2C business is on track as both the parties are committed and actively engaged," he said recently.

"With a strong visibility to these equity infusions, Reliance is set to achieve net zero debt status ahead of its own aggressive timeline. We believe rights issue was a part of the company's strategy of deleveraging its balance sheet," said Ambani. 

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