WhatsApp video calling: A feature that created buzz across globe

New Delhi: WhatsApp announced video calling for all users starting November 15. The launch of the chat messenger's video-calling feature created quite a buzz across the globe.

And why not! The most popular messaging app all over the world is used in 109 countries, or 55.6 percent of the world.

India alone can boast of 70 million monthly active WhatsApp users.

Each WhatsApp update is eagerly looked forward to by the instant messaging app users. Video calling will work on all devices with Android 4.1 and above.

WhatsApp’s video-calling feature saw roll out with version 2.16.316 or higher. Initially only available for beta testers. That meant that one couldn't use the same unless one signed up to become a beta tester. Being beta tester for WhatsApp gives an early access to new features, even before they’re unveiled for public. Plus, you can give your feedback on a particular feature directly to developers, which helps the company in improving its service. Video-calling for WhatsApp was anticipated since it became available on the beta version.

The video roll out happened 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 up. When you click on the call button, you will start getting a new video calls options along with the existing voice calls.

When Google launched Duo, it was being speculated that the high quality and 'knock know' features of Duo may knock down WhatsApp from it prime position. It was said that the sooner WhatsApp rolls out video calls, the better fight it would able to give a Duo.

Despite launching much later than Duo's existence, the former has not been able to impact the popularity of WhatsApp, and the chat messenger's video-calling has become an instant hit among the chat users.

Once the call connects on WhatsApp video, the user can choose either from or back camera of the phone for the video.

One can even choose if the preview of your video is the main image or the incoming video. Also, the location of the smaller window can be moved to anywhere on the screen.

The quality of video calls depend on the network strength on which the call supports. It said that the video call quality will naturally improve as the app recognizes that the network quality is good or the quality remains poor if the network strength is poor.

WhatsApp has kept the video calling feature simple so that even the fear of technology doesn't discourage any user from engaging in video calls.

The feature in video calling that masks all other video calling services is the additional feature, which offers the option of multi-tasking while on the call. While being on the call, the users has the option of minimizing the video and using other apps on the phone. User will be able to return to the call by tapping on the green band that appears across apps.

Currently, the video calling feature can be used synchronously between two users only and has no group-calling feature.

It should be noted that in order to make a WhatsApp video call, both users should have the updated chat messenger installed with the facility of video calling feature.