WhatsApp Brings 4 New Audio And Video Calling Features

Over 2 billion calls were made on WhatsApp web and mobile app as the company announced four new features on similar lines.

WhatsApp has evolved over the years to become and sustain its position as the best messaging application for smartphone users. As new players in the social messaging industry bring fresh innovations to attract modern messengers, WhatsApp is adding four new features to its mobile and desktop app versions that significantly boost engagement and overall user experience.

WhatsApp recently added 3 new features to improve the video and audio calls. The company is also rolling out a typing indicators feature that lets others in a group know who is typing to boost real-time engagement.

The first rolled-out feature is a call participants selection. It allows users to choose specific members in a group to make video or audio calls, excluding other members. The feature will keep notifications related to the calls accessible only to those included in the list. Members not a part of the call will not see any notification or activity update in the group. This feature will help group members maintain a cluster of secrecy or build an element of surprise, wherever applicable.

The second rolled-out feature is an expansion on a feature launched earlier last year. New video call effects expand on the existing library of filters and backgrounds and provide more options like Puppy ears, Karaoke microphones, and underwater effects, among others.

The third roll-out weighs in on improving the call experience on the desktop rather than being a standalone feature. WhatsApp has announced a more reliable 1:1 video call experience through better resolutions and clearer picture quality. WhatsApp desktop users will now be able to directly start a call, create a call link, or dial a number through readily available buttons.

The typing indicators have been updated to show visual cues by displaying profile pictures of the users typing in a group. This will help other members anticipate a response and prepare their replies better. These features combined elevate WhatsApp’s position among the world's top messaging apps.