Viber adds instant video messaging and chat extensions in latest update

In its next update, Viber will receive a couple of new features that may help the messaging app catch up a bit to its competitors. The update will bring chat extensions, video messaging, and redesigned emojis to the Android and iOS versions of Viber. WhatsApp introduced video messaging last month, while yesterday Facebook Messanger and Kik were updated with split screen video chat and video group chat features respectively.

The new video messaging feature in Viber can be accessed by swiping over the audio record button to reveal its new functionality and long-pressing it to initiate a recording. Users can record video clips of up to 30 seconds to share with their contacts. The process is very similar to recording audio messages and can be canceled at any point before sending by swiping to the left from the record button.

Perhaps more interesting are the new chat extensions which provide support for third-party services such as Giphy, Wikipedia, and TheMovieDB. Users can access the new extensions by tapping the “@” symbol in the message box and selecting one of the services. For example, if you want to impress one of your friends with your knowledge in obscure pop culture trivia, you can type “@wikipedia festivus” and a short snippet from the Wikipedia article for the parody holiday will appear for the other party to be mildly amused at. While there are only threeextensions currently available for Viber, the above-mentioned ones, the company says more will be added in the coming weeks.

Emojis have also been refreshed slightly and now sport a simpler flat look.

The update will begin rolling out shortly for both the Android and iOS versions of Viber.

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