LONDON: WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton announced recently that the voice calling feature will soon come to iOS users, although platform restrictions are delaying implementation of that feature.
And in an e-mail reply to a Windows Phone user, the WhatsApp support team revealed that WhatsApp voice calling for Windows phone is “in the works.”
The communication didn’t specify an exact timeframe for the release of WhatsApp voice calling for Windows Phone users, however. “We cannot comment on any future release timelines but we appreciate your interest in WhatsApp Calling,” read the communication from WhatsApp. The e-mail response from WhatsApp was first reported by WM Power user.
At a recent event, Acton said that the voice calling feature will be rolled out to iOS users in two or three weeks. In fact, it’s not totally certain whether the new feature will reach iOS or Windows phones first.
WhatsApp worked on a voice calling app last year before launching it on Android in March. Android users were able to get the feature last month without activation, but they did have to update to the latest version of the app.
“Of course, WhatsApp is really big in many countries where flat-rate calls aren’t the norm on cellular, and both texting and calling is pretty expensive, so I’d expect it to be a really popular feature there,” Dawson said. “But it also requires a much better data Relevant Products/Services connection than messaging alone does, which means it may not be a great experience for some users in those markets.”
Android device owners can use the latest WhatsApp voice calling feature without having to be invited by another user. Previously, Android users had to go through a long process to get the voice calling feature activated on their devices. Users can now download and install the latest WhatsApp APK 2.12.23 to get the free WhatsApp voice calling feature activated on their devices.
“If you’re desperate to be able to extend your WhatsApp conversations from text to voice, go ahead and give it a try,” Dawson said. “But there are many other alternatives out there that will probably provide a better experience until this gets tested and ready for prime time.”
