Video calling has finally arrived on WhatsApp. With over one billion monthly active users across the world, of which over 160 million are in India, WhatsApp’s latest feature is a big deal. For WhatsApp and Facebook India is an important market given that China as a market remains out of bounds. It helps that both products have the upper hand in terms of user base and time spent in India. Families, offices across India have several groups on WhatsApp as it has become the first preference when it comes to messaging.
Video calling will work on all devices with Android 4.1 and above. The rollout is happening at the same time for iOS, Android and Windows Phone devices, thus covering the top mobile operating systems across the world. Users will need to upgrade their app for the feature to show show up. When you click on the call button, you will start getting a new video calls options along with the existing voice calls.
Once the call connects, you will be able to choose either from or back camera of the phone for the video. You will be able to choose if the preview of you video is the main image or the incoming video. Also, the location of the smaller window can be moved to anywhere on the screen.
WhatsApp says it does not assume anything about the quality of the network from which the video call is being made. So the video call quality will improve as the system recognises that the network quality is good.
With a simple tap on the screen, you can access your messages, for example within the application, or return to the menu and use your smartphone for other purposes while continuing your call. Of course, if you do not keep the display of the call on the screen you can not see the caller but only hear the audio. To see him/her again, simply reopen the window.
WhatsApp says it will adjust the video quality based on network quality, but there is a noticeable lag in conversations. With video calls, it is all about real-time, and if that doesn’t go smoothly, people won’t be coming back. Of course, WhatsApp will improve its own capacity to handle these calls in the coming days, but the first few experiences will be crucial for many who try it out.
You can download the latest version of WhatsApp version 2.16.318 here. But remain patient, the feature is rolling out to all users (not just beta users anymore) in the coming days. Uninstalling and reinstalling the app or clearing the cache won't do you any good.
For now, WhatsApp’s video calling is generating a lot of interest, which is not surprising given how popular the app is in India. But WhatsApp will need to seriously bump up the video calling experience it offers from the current one, if it wants to wipe out the competition.
Video calling will work on all devices with Android 4.1 and above. The rollout is happening at the same time for iOS, Android and Windows Phone devices, thus covering the top mobile operating systems across the world. Users will need to upgrade their app for the feature to show show up. When you click on the call button, you will start getting a new video calls options along with the existing voice calls.
Once the call connects, you will be able to choose either from or back camera of the phone for the video. You will be able to choose if the preview of you video is the main image or the incoming video. Also, the location of the smaller window can be moved to anywhere on the screen.
WhatsApp says it does not assume anything about the quality of the network from which the video call is being made. So the video call quality will improve as the system recognises that the network quality is good.
With a simple tap on the screen, you can access your messages, for example within the application, or return to the menu and use your smartphone for other purposes while continuing your call. Of course, if you do not keep the display of the call on the screen you can not see the caller but only hear the audio. To see him/her again, simply reopen the window.
WhatsApp says it will adjust the video quality based on network quality, but there is a noticeable lag in conversations. With video calls, it is all about real-time, and if that doesn’t go smoothly, people won’t be coming back. Of course, WhatsApp will improve its own capacity to handle these calls in the coming days, but the first few experiences will be crucial for many who try it out.
You can download the latest version of WhatsApp version 2.16.318 here. But remain patient, the feature is rolling out to all users (not just beta users anymore) in the coming days. Uninstalling and reinstalling the app or clearing the cache won't do you any good.
For now, WhatsApp’s video calling is generating a lot of interest, which is not surprising given how popular the app is in India. But WhatsApp will need to seriously bump up the video calling experience it offers from the current one, if it wants to wipe out the competition.
WhatsApp Video Calling Now Available For Everyone
Reviewed by Tech Ugly
on
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Rating:
Reviewed by Tech Ugly
on
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Rating:
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