Meta-owned platform WhatsApp is gearing up to launch three new features aimed at improving group calls and video chats. These updates, including a screen-sharing enhancement, expanded participant limits, and a speaker spotlight, are poised to compete with established platforms like Zoom, FaceTime, and Google Meet.
Enhanced Screen-Sharing with Audio
WhatsApp has upgraded its screen-sharing feature by adding audio sharing capabilities. This improvement allows users to watch videos together with friends and family during WhatsApp calls. The feature was initially introduced in August last year, but the addition of audio sharing enhances the overall experience of virtual interactions.
Expanded Participant Limits
In a move to facilitate larger group interactions, WhatsApp is expanding the participant limit in group video calls. Users will now be able to include up to 32 people in a single video call on any device. Previously, the participant limit varied across devices, with mobile devices allowing up to 32 participants, Windows supporting 16, and macOS accommodating 8. This enhancement brings WhatsApp’s capabilities closer to Apple’s FaceTime, which allows up to 32 participants on video calls for iPhone and iPad users. However, it still falls short of the capabilities offered by Google Meet and Zoom, which support up to 100 participants even on their basic tiers.
Speaker Spotlight Feature
The latest WhatsApp update introduces a new feature called speaker spotlight. This feature automatically highlights the person speaking during a video call, bringing them to the forefront of the screen. This ensures that participants can easily identify the active speaker, enhancing the overall clarity of group discussions.
Future Developments
WhatsApp is reportedly working on a transcription feature that will allow users to transcribe voice messages directly on their devices. According to WABetainfo reports, this feature will require users to download an additional 150MB of app data. While details about the release date remain scarce, this feature promises to further enhance the messaging experience on WhatsApp.
With these new features, WhatsApp is positioning itself as a formidable competitor in the realm of video conferencing, offering users a comprehensive suite of tools for seamless communication and collaboration.
