New Delhi: It seems that WhatsApp will soon bring the much-awaited video calling feature to its messaging service. While the company has not yet rolled out the feature for any platforms, it has made an appearance on Android.
The video calling, which is not yet functional, can currently be seen only in the latest beta version of Android, which is available as an update (v 2.16.80) via the Google Play store.
You will only be getting this Whatsapp update if you have signed up for the Android Beta Testing Program, under which WhatsApp invites users to testing programs for unreleased versions.
WhatsApp has not added a separate icon for video call, and therefore, its addition to the app has not led to any noticeable change in the app's design and looks.
The company, apparently, has chosen the existing call icon for the video calling feature. This means tapping on the call icon (in a chat window), which would otherwise make a voice call, now give users two options - "Audio Call" and "Video Call" - to choose from.
Tapping on "Audio Call" connects a voice call, but tapping on "Video Call" takes users to a screen that says, "Couldn't place call. Video calling is unavailable at this time."
A screenshot of the screen that pops up when a video call is made on WhatsApp.
The new video calling feature may have made to the beta version, but it's not yet activated. The feature may not be working for now, but its presence in beta suggests that it will soon be rolled out for all the users.
The company is expected to soon release the public version.
WhatsApp, which is now owned by Facebook, last year had introduced the voice calling feature, which was rolled out in a phased manner on an invite-only basis and required users to have it enabled on their phone by getting a call from users who had the feature activated on their app.
It's yet to be seen when and how the company introduces this much-desired video calling feature.
Comments
0 comment