WhatsApp is finally rolling out the much-awaited video calling feature in the stable version of its Android, iOS, and Windows Phone applications. Till now, this was only available to selected users running the beta build of the popular messaging app. The Facebook-owned company aims to use its massive over 1 billion user base to compete with video chatting apps like Skype, FaceTime, Viber, newly launched Google Duo, LINE and even the social media giant’s Messenger.
The new feature is already available to some users and will reach others within a few hours. WhatsApp has kept the user interface pretty simple. To access the newly launched video calling facility, you need to tap the call button upon which an overlaid menu will pop up with two options – video call and voice call. Just hit the video call option to initiate a video call with any individual. In-between the call, you can seamlessly swap from the front camera to the rear camera and vice versa with a single click. Two other prominent buttons will be present; one is for the mute option, and another is the red colored call end button.
WhatsApp has mentioned that its video call feature will be well optimized to be used in below average internet speeds. This will be hugely beneficial for countries like India, where cellular connectivity is still not available in its full potential and throttling of internet speed is a persistent issue. Officially announcing the brand new feature, the company commented, “We’re introducing this feature because we know that sometimes voice and text just aren’t enough. There’s no substitute for watching your grandchild take her first steps, or seeing your daughter’s face while she’s studying abroad. And we want to make these features available to everyone, not just those who can afford the most expensive new phones or live in countries with the best cellular networks.”
WhatsApp already supports most of the needed features of a social communication application like group chat, voice messaging and voice calling. Now with the latest addition, it will continue to reign as one of the top messaging apps in the world. The company has mentioned that this video calling capability is the most requested feature by its dedicated users. Just recently, WhatsApp rolled out an innovative two-factor authentication technique in its beta version. This suggests that we might as well get to see a new security dedicated upgrade soon.
I rely on this application.