It’s been a long time coming, but WhatsApp has finally introduced GIF support on its iOS app. Sorry Android users, you’ll have to hold out for a little while longer.
With the new update, WhatsApp not only lets you share the short animated clips from its new GIF search engine, but also allows you to send your own short video clips and Live Photos as GIFs too. The move sees the messaging platform finally catch up to the likes of Twitter and Facebook, both of which have offered GIF support for a while now.
To make up for lost time, WhatsApp has put some tricks up its sleeve. First, the app lets you customize GIFs from its integrated search engine, allowing you to trim the clips, add emojis, and add colorful text, before sharing them with your friends. If you like a particular GIF, you can add it to your favorites so that you can easily access it for repeated use.
For those primarily interested in creating their own content, you can now send any video up to six seconds long as a GIF, or send a Live Photo by selecting the “attach” button and then using the 3D Touch feature, reports TechCrunch.
WhatsApp quietly rolled out the iOS update on Monday. Without a formal announcement, it remains unclear whether it is using Giphy as its integrated GIF search engine, or an alternative.
Overall, the new features bring the experience much closer to iMessage. Apple’s messaging platform introduced a native GIF search engine with iOS 10 and — with the aid of iMessage apps from the likes of Tumblr and GIF Keyboard — even lets you create your own GIFs.
Photo-sharing was a big part of WhatsApp’s recent update that essentially allowed you to edit your images using text, doodles, and emojis. Then, last week, reports emerged the service was testing its very own social feature in the vein of Snapchat Stories. It all adds up to indicating that WhatsApp is working toward making the messaging process more engaging by encouraging the use of personalized visual media.
ShiftCam is adding to its range of iPhone filmmaking accessories with ProRig+, a revised version of its modular camera rig that has dedicated controls for focus, zoom, shutter, and shooting modes. The new system launches on Kickstarter with the ProControl remote, giving mobile creators a higher level of hands-on control without having to constantly tap their iPhone’s screen.
The announcement comes soon after ShiftCam introduced the original ProRig, developed with feedback from Apple. The original model is expected to ship in the coming weeks, while ProRig+ will be a more advanced remote and will be delivered to backers in February 2027. The Kickstarter campaign has also been honored with the platform’s “Projects We Love” designation.
Samsung's foldable lineup could be getting pretty crowded next year. We're already expecting successors to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and the Galaxy Z Flip 8, while fresh leaks hint that several more devices could be in the pipeline.
The expanded lineup might include a bigger fold, a potentially cheaper alternative, and even something that slides rather than folds. According to a new leak, Samsung is currently testing two different versions of an additional wide-format Galaxy Z Fold 9. That's not all, Samsung's foldable plans could feature a grand total of six models, which is kind of in line with earlier reports.
Motorola has built some of my favorite foldables and flagship phones. I had a great time with both the Razr Fold and last year's Signature. So when the company began teasing the Signature 27, I couldn't help be excited. The new model comes with Qualcomm's blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, and better still, it is finally getting a proper global release.
One of the reasons I was obsessed with the last-gen Signature was its amazing price tag. But it seems like that budget flagship dream might be officially dead. Portuguese retailer MegaPC has prematurely listed a 12GB RAM and 512GB storage Signature 27 in Pantone Coal Smoke for €1,594.90 (approx. $1,775).