Facebook, the parent company of WhatsApp has announced a Send button that allows users to send their Facebook statuses and news to WhatsApp users, writes LIRON SEGEV.
Hot on the heels of WhatsApp introducing voice calls, there seems to be a new feature released by Facebook, WhatsApp’s parent company: the ability to share between Facebook and WhatsApp.
Facebook purchased WhatsApp for $19 billion and whilst promising that the two companies will operate independently, it seems that this is now the first bridge between the two entities.
According to Facebook beta testers, there is now a “Send” button on the new Facebook App that allows users to send their Facebook status and news over to WhatsApp users. The Send icon is the same as the WhatsApp icon and this is just the first step of the integration. There are rumours that the WhatsApp and Facebook integration might be extended to Facebook Messenger too. Perhaps allowing the merger of two messaging platforms or at least being able to communicate with either set of contacts from one application.
How to get the Facebook WhatsApp Send button now?
If you don’t want to wait for the official release of the Facebook app, you can sign up as a beta tester for Facebook’s Android app which essentially involves you joining a Google group for Facebook Android beta testers. You will then be issued the link to download the beta version of the Facebook app from the Google Play Store.
The instructions can be found here – but note that a beta application means that it might come with bugs ranging from minor to major crashes. So download and enter at your own risk (or just wait a bit until it becomes official)
Note: I downloaded the beta version of the Facebook Android App and I don’t have the Send button. It might be limited to a specific geographic region at this stage.
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