CALIFORNIA: WhatsApp is developing a document scanning feature for Android, as seen in its newest beta update version 2.25.18.29 available via the Google Play Beta Program. The feature, still being developed, should arrive in a later release.
This document scanner feature first debuted for iOS users earlier in the year, enabling them to scan and send documents within chats. The Android build seems to be the same, giving users a feature to scan documents with the camera of their phone without the use of additional apps.
That is to say, you will no longer require apps such as CamScanner to scan a paper on your phone to share it around.
Two Modes: Manual and Automatic
As revealed in the update, users will have the option of choosing a new “Scan document“ file-sharing option. Upon choosing, the camera of the phone is activated with two modes of capture: automatic and manual.
Manual mode offers control to users as to when to snap the picture, providing accurate framing. Automatic mode identifies the borders of a document and snaps the photo automatically, thus being quicker.
Autocovers to PDF
WhatsApp will automatically cover the image, converting it into a PDF format when captured, to be sent in groups or chats. Native Android APIs are employed in the process to perform operations on the device.
Files are shared only when users consciously send them and are protected by end-to-end encryption of WhatsApp.
