14 DAY TRIAL // WhatsApp has finally released group calling for voice and video, after the company previously announced this feature at Facebook’s F8 developer conference earlier this year.
For now, group voice and video calls only support up to four participants, the feature works regardless of the network conditions, WhatsApp guarantees.
While a certain amount of lag may be experienced given that four different users would be involved in a group call, WhatsApp says it designed this new functionality to work reliably around the world, including in areas with slower Internet access.
To begin a group voice or video calls, users first need to start a typical one-on-one call and then use the option called “add participant” that’s placed in the top right corner. They can then select other WhatsApp users to be added to the call.
Powerful Skype alternative
By finally making group voice and video calls broadly available, WhatsApp launches one powerful alternative to services like Skype.
Microsoft has improved Skype at a rather fast pace lately, and a recent update pushed the instant messaging platform closer to the mobile ecosystem. The app has received a new look on mobile devices, and Microsoft is betting big on Android and iOS, especially as its own mobile operating system is projected to be discontinued next year.
WhatsApp’s new group video and voice calls are available in the most recent versions of the app for Android and iOS. The company hasn’t said anything about other planned updates for now, but there’s a chance that at some point in the future, WhatsApp could get support for more than four participants in a call.
If you want to try it out for yourselves, you can download the latest WhatsApp for Android APK from Softpedia. The most recent release for iPhones is available in the App Store here.