The most popular and widely used messaging application in the world "WhatsApp" had one feature missing: the video calling option. With umpteen other applications in the market such as Line, Skype, IMO, Facebook messenger, Hike and so on providing this feature, WhatsApp could not lag behind. Though the lack of this feature never affected the popularity of WhatsApp, the makers have decided to introduce the video calling feature.
India Today cited that the feature is in the beta stage of development and is currently only available for the Windows phone. However, Android and iOS users will be able to use the feature soon. A few beta testers were spotted checking the video calling option for WhatsApp on their Windows handset. The call button which appears on the name bar of the contact will have the option of voice call and video call.
Interestingly, the user can choose whether to use the front camera or the rear camera for the video calling. Similar to the voice calling feature, the user can mute the call and notifications will appear if the user misses a video call. In addition, this feature will not require the user to update the WhatsApp application on the play store. It will be enabled by default.
The WhatsApp messenger application has undergone several changes over the last few weeks in an effort to emulate its competitors like Snapchat. The most recent addition was a feature that enables the users to draw or write texts on the images and videos that are shot using the application's camera. Also, a Group invite feature was added which provides the group admin with a facility to invite a contact into the group chat by sending a specific link.
With over 1 billion users, WhatsApp is an unparalleled messaging application for all users. Owing to the clarity of calls, good user-interface and secure end to end encryption, WhatsApp is the most preferred messengers today. The introduction of the video-calling facility is likely to render other messenger applications obsolete.
Nevertheless, we eagerly await the roll out of this new feature on WhatsApp!
