In less than a month, Facebook-owned WhatsApp has released voice-calling feature to iOS users. The feature was released to Android users in February, and is set to be deployed to all the iOS users in the coming weeks.
The latest update for iOS includes new features like iOS 8 share extension which allows users to send photos, videos and links to WhatsApp contacts from other apps. Capturing photos inside chats has been simplified, and users can attach multiple videos at one time. The option is similar to the existing feature in photos which can be cropped or rotated before being shared.
“Call your friends and family using WhatsApp for free, even if they’re in another country,” reads the description on the Apple App store.
The move is set to affect carriers around the world as WhatsApp has more than 800 million users around the world. The messaging service has almost replaced the traditional SMS feature, and is likely to follow a similar pattern for the calling feature. The number of messages on WhatsApp has already surpassed the number of SMS messages worldwide.
The iOS update is aimed at making the messaging service multifunctional. In January, WhatsApp lauched a desktop client service, allowing users to be in touch without the smartphone. the latest update with new feature is available for download though users will have to wait a while for the voice-calling feature. The feature is being released in phases.
Through there are several messaging apps like Viber, Skype and Line with calling features, WhatsApp leads the pack with the string user base. The voice-calling feature does include a few issues like echo, call drops and lag though they are expected to be sorted out via updates. Windows Phone users are set to receive the update in the coming months as the feature is ‘still in works’.
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