WHATSAPP is working on a brand new feature that will let you dictate texts out loud using sunglasses.
The bizarre change would mean using a pair of “smart specs” to talk to pals – without having to touch your phone.
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This feature was first teased late last month.
But now new evidence of the change has turned up in the “beta test” version of WhatsApp.
The app sleuths at WABetaInfo have found evidence of a feature that lets you link WhatsApp to a pair of Ray-Ban Stories glasses.
The Ray-Ban Stories glasses launched last year – and are designed to film things that you see.
The stylish specs are built by Ray-Ban for Meta (formerly Facebook), and can upload footage to social media to share with pals.
In a new version of the beta, an “under development” feature clearly shows the ability to link WhatsApp to the specs.
“When you link Ray-Ban Stories to your WhatsApp account, it is listed in your Devices List,” said WABetaInfo.
“We could already imagine it because all linked devices are listed in this section of the app.
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“But since this section now recognises Ray-Ban Stories, it is a confirmation that the company keeps developing this ability.”
Ray-Ban Stories are Facebook’s first attempt at a pair of smart glasses – but more sophisticated ones are on the way.
You can use the glasses to capture both photos and videos, thanks to built-in 5MP cameras.
And three microphones make it possible to answer phone calls too.
Video is recorded in 1184×1184 resolution at 30 frames per second – with a 105-degree field of view.
And you can snap clips up to 30 seconds long.
You can also take 2592×1944-pixel photos, if you’d prefer.
Activating the camera is done with the tap of a button, or a vocal “Hey Facebook” command.
On-device storage caters for 35 videos and up to 500 photos, but you can offload these in seconds to the new Facebook View app and clear the device for re-use easily.
And with the new WhatsApp feature, you would be able to send texts with just a voice command.
Sadly, it’s not clear exactly when this feature will launch.
WhatsApp could be developing it for weeks, months or even years.
And it’s entirely possible that the feature is scrapped before ever rolling out.
How to join the WhatsApp beta
To download WhatsApp beta for your smartphone you need to go to Google Play on your Android and search for WhatsApp.
Scroll down the page until you see “Become a Beta Tester”.
Tap the “I’m In” button and then click “Join” to confirm.
Now all you have to do is wait for the update to the beta version of the app.
Joining the WhatsApp beta on iPhone is more difficult, and has limited capacity.
Follow Apple’s guide here.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
