WhatsApp is arguably the most used messaging app on
mobile. Its executives have always maintained that its feature set will remain
rather rudimentary and limited. However, earlier in the year, rumours regarding
a voice calling feature started surfacing. Now, thanks to Android blog,
AndroidWorld.nl, the screenshots of WhatsApps rumoured voice calling feature
have been leaked.
Strangely, WhatsApp is distributed either through
its website or through the Google Play store for Android. The version that is
available through the WhatsApp website is updated very frequently and often
contains hidden features that the company plans on adding in other builds at a
later date. It is this version that has revealed the voice calling
functionality. By the looks of it, the new voice calling functionality could be
launched very soon.
This function is clearly unofficial as the company
makes no mention of it. Probably, the app must've been at a test end of sorts
for the feature. Interestingly, the calling feature is separate from the chat
feature. The call logs, dialer and the contacts screen is separate from the
main chat window. It also combines recording and playback.
Already, apps like Line, Skype and Viber offer voice
calling functionality. In fact, on iOS, Android and Windows Phone voice calling
through internet protocols is handled via FaceTime, Hangouts and Skype, so we
can expect this feature to be a free addition. For India particularly, this
will be relevant because WhatsApp executives in the past have been quoted
saying that in India the app will always remain free.
Source : businesstoday
