WhatsApp for Android update adds option to hide 'last seen' status and more

WhatsApp on Monday began rolling out an update for its Android app, bringing new privacy settings to devices running Android v2.1 and higher.

The WhatsApp for Android update has brought the option to hide the 'last seen' notification, profile photo and status through privacy settings. In order use the feature, users need to install the latest WhatsApp (2.11.186) update from the Google Play Store. Once the application is updated, users will find the new privacy feature in settings menu under account settings. So far, users can hide all three pieces of information from people not on their contact list, from select people, or from everyone. The feature that was already present on iOS devices.

The updated WhatsApp app for Android has now added an option to share/save profile photo/group icon. Another interesting integration to WhatsApp for Android is the service payment feature, which lets users pay for their friends' WhatsApp service. Users need to go visit contacts, check the particular contact's info, and press the menu option, where they will find the option for making the payment.

The WhatsApp update for Android now adds an option to show unread messages on the home screen widget for devices running Android 3.0 and higher. Few other tweaks include a camera shortcut for quicker picture sending, large video thumbnails in chat, and an option to increase the message history a user can send.

The update also fixes few bugs for some devices. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 voice note recording volume bug has also been fixed with the update, while it also enabled Hindi language support for Sony Xperia phones running Android 4.1 and higher

Facebook-WhatsApp deal may be scrutinised by India's fair trade regulator CCI

Facebook's $19 billion deal (Rs 1,16,000 crore) to acquire WhatsApp may face a detailed scrutiny by the country's fair trade regulator CCI, especially since both players have significant presence in India.

The world's largest social networking site Facebook has around 1.2 billion members globally while WhatsApp - a platform that allows exchange of messages and files through mobile phones free of cost - is estimated to have 450 million users worldwide.

All merger and acquisition deals, involving companies having India presence, have to get approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) which has the mandate to keep a tab on unfair trade practices at the market place.

A senior official said the Commission is yet to receive an application seeking approval for the deal, but it would indeed face an elaborate scrutiny.

Both Facebook and WhatsApp have substantial number of customers in India and they may soon file a notice with CCI to seek its clearance for the deal.

While India has nearly 93 million Facebook users, the count of people using the popular WhatsApp service is around 40 million in the country.

Meanwhile, concerns are already being raised in certain quarters about privacy issues post deal. Privacy groups in the US have asked American fair trade regulator FTC to put the deal on hold and probe how the social media giant plans to use subscriber data.

US-based Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) and the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) have asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate WhatsApp and enjoin its "unfair and deceptive data collection practices" for any future changes to its privacy policy.

Announcing the deal to acquire WhatsApp last month, Facebook said it would help accelerate growth and user engagement across both companies.

As per the deal, Facebook would shell out USD 16 billion, including USD 4 billion in cash and approximately USD 12 billion worth of shares for WhatsApp acquisition.

Besides, the social networking major would provide additional USD 3 billion in restricted stock units to WhatsApp's founders and employees that would vest over four years subsequent to closing

Voice calling coming soon to WhatsApp:

Barcelona: The world's biggest messaging service WhatsApp will add voice calls to its product in the second quarter of this year, its CEO Jan Koum said, days after its blockbuster $19 billion acquisition by Facebook.

"We are driven by the mission that people should be able to stay in touch anywhere and affordably. Our goal is to be on every mobile phone in the world," Koum said on Monday, speaking at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Koum also announced a partnership with KPN's E-Plus under which it will launch a WhatsApp branded mobile service in Germany. "We are working with carriers in established markets to bring value to end users," he said.

WhatsApp will add voice calls to its product in the second quarter of this year, its CEO Jan Koum said, days after its blockbuster $19 billion acquisition by Facebook.