Islamabad, Dec 15: WhatsApp is gearing up for a significant upgrade in its video calling capabilities, adding features that could position it as a strong competitor to platforms like Zoom. Meta has announced three key updates, including screen sharing with audio, support for up to 32 participants in video calls, and enhancements to audio and video quality.
New Features and Enhancements
- Screen Sharing with Audio
WhatsApp will now allow users to share their screens along with audio, making it ideal for collaborative activities like watching videos or delivering presentations. However, it remains to be seen how the feature will address copyright issues with protected streaming content. - 32-Member Video Calls
The maximum number of participants in video calls is being expanded to 32, applicable to both mobile and desktop versions. This improvement caters to larger virtual meetings and group interactions, enhancing WhatsApp’s utility for professional and personal use. - Speaker Spotlight Feature
To streamline conversations in large video calls, a “speaker spotlight” feature will highlight the current speaker, providing a seamless experience similar to other video conferencing tools. - Audio and Video Quality Upgrades
- Noise and echo cancellation for mobile devices will ensure clearer conversations in noisy settings.
- Higher resolution for video calls on faster networks and improved audio quality for older devices or weaker connections.
- The introduction of the MLow codec aims to improve call reliability and optimize performance.
Rollout Timeline
The new features will be gradually introduced over the coming weeks as part of Meta’s ongoing commitment to enhancing WhatsApp’s communication tools.
