WhatsApp launches Joinable calls feature, lets users join group call even after it’s started
WhatsApp the Facebook-owned company has added many new features to its user-friendly program for years. This includes allowing users to use the same WhatsApp account on multiple devices at the same time, allowing users to send photos and videos without losing quality, and adding expired media support.
Recently, WhatsApp rolling out a new UI for audio and video calls and the ability to allow users to join missed group calls. At the time, this was limited to selecting WhatsApp beta users. But now, both versions are finally being released to more users.
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In the blog post, WhatsApp officially announced joinable calls, a feature that allows users to jump into group calls even when they’ve started.
If you missed an incoming group call or ignored it, WhatsApp now displays the “Tap to join” banner on the Calls tab to allow you to join immediately (as long as the call is still in progress). Additionally, users can also drop and join an ongoing group call, such as Google Meet and Zoom calls.
The incoming call UI for group calls has also been updated. Instead of the red drop-down button, there is a new “Ignore” button, and the “Join” button has replaced the green welcome button. The new UI also shows you who has already joined the call and who has been invited but has not yet joined.
Calls integrated with the new call UI are rolling out to WhatsApp users from today. Both of these upgrades are already live in the latest version of WhatsApp beta and will soon be entering a stable version.
HOW TO JOIN GROUP VIDEO CALL:
- You’ll receive a notification when someone invites you to join a group video call.
- If you can’t join, tap Ignore. To open the call info screen, tap Join.
- From the call menu, you can preview the call participants and other invitees.
- Tap Join to join the call.
- While on the call, tap Open to open the call info screen.
- Tap Add participant to add more contacts to the call.
- Tap RING to send a notification to people who’ve already been invited.
JOIN A MISSED GROUP VIDEO CALL
- Open WhatsApp, then tap the CALLS tab.
- If the call is ongoing, tap the call you’d like to join. This will open the call info screen.
- From the call menu, tap Join.
NOTES:
- Only eight participants can be active on a call at one time.
- Make sure you and your contacts have strong internet connections when placing or receiving group video calls. The quality of the video call will depend on the contact with the weakest connection.
- During a group video call, you have the option to turn your video off by tapping Video off.
- You can’t remove a contact during a group video call. The contact would need to hang up their phone to disconnect from the call.
- While it’s possible to be in a group video call with someone you’ve blocked, you can’t add a contact that you’ve blocked to the call or a contact that has blocked you.
- Video calling is only available on Android phones running 4.1 or newer.
WhatsApp is planning to bring a new feature to reshare status updates easily, just like Instagram. The latest beta update of WhatsApp for Android arrives with version 2.24.16.4, which simplifies the way how users share status updates where they’ve been mentioned.
The fresh beta update reveals that WhatsApp is working on a new feature for direct resharing. This feature removes the need for users to take screenshots or ask for the post to be sent privately as it makes it much simpler to share interesting updates on their status.
You can find the reshare button at the bottom of the screen on the WhatsApp status interface. This option appears specifically on status updates where someone has mentioned you. In other cases, you will see the option to reply to the status instead.
By adding a new reshare button to the mentioned post, WhatsApp aims to enhance user convenience and connectivity. However, you can still manage your status privacy settings.
Previously, WhatsApp introduced the option to mention specific contacts in status updates to allow direct notifications to be sent to them. Now, WhatsApp is working on allowing users to reshare the mentioned status updates directly.
Notably, the new features are currently under development and the company will soon make it available for users. This feature is much like what users are already familiar with on platforms like Instagram. Stay tuned with us to know more information.
WhatsApp introduces background gradient filter for status updates
You will soon be able to securely share files across Android and iOS devices using WhatsApp. The latest WhatsApp Beta for iOS brings evidence of signaling the addition of file-sharing capability.
WABetaInfo reports that WhatsApp is crafting an offline file-sharing tool for Android and iOS. The feature is slated to allow users to share encrypted files with others nearby by scanning the QR Code.
Notably, the existence of this feature was first spotted for the Android app in April this year. The inclusion of this tool in the iOS app indicates that WhatsApp has progressed in development.
WhatsApp for iOS could require the recipient to scan a QR code to trigger the file transfer. The previous finding for the Android app revealed that file sharing would be possible with any nearby WhatsApp user.
While WhatsApp for Android appeared months ago, the iOS-inspired sharing method might be deployed across platforms. The QR scanning functionality is comparatively more secure and the option to share with any nearby device.
Android phones have Quick Share and iOS-powered iPhones have AirDrop. WhatsApp explored beyond as part of simplifying the file-sharing experience across platforms. The approach would significantly uplevel the overall user experience.
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WhatsApp is releasing a new beta update for Android users with version 2.24.16.2. With the new beta, WhatsApp is introducing a cool new feature for its status updates, a background gradient filter. This new feature makes photos and videos look smoother and more polished.
The Background Gradient filter feature of WhatsApp automatically works when your photos or videos don’t cover the entire screen. It adjusts the background to blend colors from the media to create an appealing status update presentation.
Users can easily try out this feature by sharing a 1:1 photo format on their status updates. If they see a gradient around the edges of the photo, it means the feature is activated for their account.
Through this new filter, WhatsApp just aims to fix the issue of photos or videos not filling the whole screen, which can make updates look uncompleted.
The latest update beta version 2.24.16.2 is available through the Google Play Beta Program for Android users. This update is gradually rolling out to beta testers, so it may take hours or days to reach more users.
In addition to this visual improvement, WhatsApp is also making the status updates screen simpler and easier to use. With the beta version 2.24.15.11, Whatsapp revamped the menu so it now focuses on important things like muting or reporting updates and checking contact information. You can also close the status with a handy button.