WhatsApp recently made an exciting announcement regarding improvements to its video calling feature for both mobile and desktop users. One of the major enhancements is the increase in the participant limit for group video calls. Previously limited to just eight participants on the WhatsApp Desktop app, users can now enjoy group video calls with up to 32 members. This expansion aims to make video calls more inclusive and engaging for larger groups of people.
Moreover, in addition to the increased participant limit, users now have the ability to share their audio when sharing their screen during video calls. This means that participants can not only see what is being shared on the screen but also hear the audio accompanying it. This added feature enhances the overall video calling experience and allows for more seamless communication among participants.
Another significant improvement introduced by WhatsApp is the uniformity in the participant limit across all devices. Previously, mobile users could have up to 32 participants in a video call, while desktop users were limited to just eight. With the latest update, WhatsApp has made the participant limit consistent across all platforms, ensuring that up to 32 participants can join a video call regardless of the device they are using. This change aims to create a more cohesive and unified video calling experience for all users.
WhatsApp has also rolled out a new feature called ‘speaker spotlight’ in its latest update. This feature highlights the current speaker during a video call, making it easier for participants to identify who is speaking without having to check the participant list. This can be particularly useful in large group video calls where it may be challenging to keep track of the speaker. The introduction of the ‘speaker spotlight’ feature enhances the overall user experience and improves the efficiency of communication during video calls.
In addition to the feature upgrades, Meta Platforms, the company that owns WhatsApp, has introduced a new tool called Meta Low Bitrate (MLow) codec to improve call quality. This codec helps compress audio and video data for more efficient transfer over the internet, especially on slow-speed connections. Despite compression often leading to a reduction in quality, Meta assures users that the MLow codec is an improvement over the previous Opus codec, enhancing audio quality during calls. This technology, already in use on other Meta platforms like Instagram and Messenger, is now being implemented on WhatsApp, further enhancing the overall user experience during video calls.
The recent updates to WhatsApp’s video calling feature demonstrate the company’s commitment to providing users with a seamless and enjoyable communication experience across all devices. With the expansion of participant limits, audio sharing capabilities, the introduction of the ‘speaker spotlight’ feature, and the implementation of the MLow codec, WhatsApp is setting new standards for video calling platforms. These enhancements are expected to be rolled out to users in the coming weeks, promising a more interactive and high-quality video calling experience for everyone.
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