LONDON: With the new voice calling service of WhatsApp you will be able to call your friends and family using the app for free. Just like with its initial services, the only requirement to use this feature is an internet connection. Even if your loved ones are in another country, WhatsApp allows you to make and receive voice calls without any charges. It uses the Wi-Fi network or your data plan, instead of your mobile’s voice minutes.
The new update brings WhatsApp closer to one of its toughest competitors Skype. Skype offers free instant messaging and voice calling and it also has free video calling a service that WhatsApp currently lacks. Both apps allow the users to make calls over the internet enabling you to save lots of money especially when you need to make regular overseas calls. Just make sure that you and your loved ones both have WhatsApp downloaded on your mobile phones.
The new voice calling feature was first launched in Android earlier this year, but it was only a limited, invitation-only kind of feature. Users can only activate the feature when they receive a call from someone who already has voice calling. It eventually rolled out to the rest of the Android users the following month. The iOS users, on the other hand, received the update much later and will slowly roll out to all the iOS users over the next few weeks.
The iOS update of WhatsApp Version 2.12.1 also adds the ability to share videos, photos, and links from outside applications directly to WhatsApp without closing the app. Users can now also edit contacts without leaving WhatsApp. The latest version also introduces a quick camera button so you can easily take a photo or video or choose from your device to send to your friends. You may also send multiple videos at once and even crop and rotate the clips before sending them.
To know if you’ve received the latest update from WhatsApp, go to the iTunes App Store and look for the new update with the new voice calling feature. You will notice a new Recents tab at the bottom of the screen which lists all your calls history including missed calls from your contacts. You can start a call by tapping the person’s name and selecting the WhatsApp call button. You can also switch to voice call, while chatting with someone, by tapping the call button at the upper right corner of the chat window.
