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WhatsApp Is Rolling Out Video Calls On Its Android App (techcrunch.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the slow-and-steady dept.

WhatsApp appears to be rolling out its video calling feature for beta users of the Android app. The arrival of the feature was first spotted by Android Police, which found that an updated app interface caused some users of the beta builds of the application to be able to access video calling. TechCrunch reports: For those on a version of WhatsApp which includes video calling support, you're able to tap the call button or tap on a contact card to kick off a video call. In this case, a new dialog box will appear, offering the choice between a standard voice call and a video call. In addition, the call log will show which calls were made via video by annotating them with the camera icon, instead of the telephone icon. However, there isn't yet a way to call other WhatsApp users who don't also have video calling support. If you try to, WhatsApp defaults to a voice call. Android isn't the only platform where video calling has been switched on. Last week, some users on the WhatsApp beta for Windows Phone were also surprised to find that the feature was now functional. And in this case, it didn't require an app update -- indicating a server-side change could enable it. Some users have also reported seeing the feature on iOS.

42 comments

  1. Catching up to the Chinese by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    About time, WeChat's had that (and much more) for years.

    1. Re:Catching up to the Chinese by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And all of you poor suckers are following in Camfrog's footsteps.

    2. Re:Catching up to the Chinese by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Christ, how many fucking chat apps are there? I already need about 6 to talk to everyone (friends, family, coworkers use WhatsApp, Facebook, Skype, WeChat, GTalk and Slack). FaceTime would be in there if I used Apple, I know some people who use it. Plus email and IRC.

    3. Re:Catching up to the Chinese by unixisc · · Score: 1

      You are mixing texting apps w/ apps that allow you to see and talk to a person live. FaceTime is the latter, while the apps you mentioned (aside from Skype and now WhatsApp) are the former

    4. Re:Catching up to the Chinese by farble1670 · · Score: 1

      That's the point. People want a multi-communications app that does it app. Video, voice, text, images, etc. Splitting those into different apps makes it all the more likely that your contacts won't have the same setup on their end. What's easier?

      "I use Whatsapp."

      or

      "I use slack for messaging, but only at work. For screen sharing I use hangouts and for SMS I either use iMessage when I'm on my iPhone or hangouts when I'm on my computer. For video I use Hangouts or Duo, and sometimes iMessage."

    5. Re:Catching up to the Chinese by unixisc · · Score: 1

      Except that WhatsApp doesn't do screen sharing

    6. Re:Catching up to the Chinese by farble1670 · · Score: 1

      Tell me, do you find the trees every getting in the way of you seeing the forest?

    7. Re:Catching up to the Chinese by ThatsMyNick · · Score: 1

      When you use trees to make a point about the forest, dont be surprised if people notice the trees, and something being wrong with the trees.

  2. Wow. That's what $19 Billion buys. Video calls. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Amazing

  3. No need, thanks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    WhatsApp is Facebook's spyware program. Do not use it, do not condone its use, do not force others to use it.

    1. Re: No need, thanks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ok dad.

    2. Re:No need, thanks by Maritz · · Score: 1

      Just so we can be clear, what is OK to force others to use?

      --
      I do not want your cheap brainburning drugs. They are useless for work. And I am a working man today.
    3. Re:No need, thanks by Kisame217 · · Score: 1

      Google+

    4. Re:No need, thanks by unixisc · · Score: 1

      Thank you, RMS. Can you let us know when the GNU edition of this will be available, that will require us to type in a LISP script in order to make our calls?

  4. Now let us install it on an ipad again!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I mean really, whats that all about?

    1. Re:Now let us install it on an ipad again!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The fact that Whatsapp works with mobile phone numbers.

    2. Re:Now let us install it on an ipad again!! by unrtst · · Score: 1

      The fact that Whatsapp works with mobile phone numbers.

      Except that Whatsapp has desktop versions for Windows 8+ and Mac OSX 10.9+, as well as a web based version. You just have to set up the account via a phone first.

  5. More convenient than two apps by Geeky · · Score: 1

    This will probably help to keep people on WhatsApp. It's got to be more convenient than the iMessage/Facetime or Allo/Duo split between apps approach that Apple and Google are taking.

    --
    Sigs are so 1990s. No way would I be seen dead with one.
    1. Re:More convenient than two apps by ledow · · Score: 1

      If owner we could convince Whatsapp owner to stop pushing two god-damn-awful separate apps for Facebook and Messenger, neither of which are as useful as just Request Desktop Site in your mobile Chrome browser.

      Seriously, Facebook is THE most uninstalled app on all the smartphones I've ever help people with. It consume space at ludicrous rates and yet does nothing better than a browser would, and every time you want to message, you have to load up an entirely different app anyway (presumably because the bloat would make it even bigger).

    2. Re:More convenient than two apps by farble1670 · · Score: 1

      ^^^ this.

      What in [Gg]od's name made Google think it was a good idea to split text and video into two apps (and REQUIRE a phone number for both to register making it infeasible to have a desktop or data-SIM only client).

  6. They need to fix backup, and other things by wizrd_nml · · Score: 2

    Whatsapp is great, but every so often something in the app makes it feel like it's developed by one guy in his parents' basement.

    For example, currently there's no way to migrate your chat history between iphone and android without paying $25 for a third party app (that doesn't always work).

    I'm using an iPhone 6. The camera takes 5-10 seconds to open from within the app.

    It takes them months to add simple features, like 3D touch. I didn't mind when they didn't add it because maybe they didn't want to. But then it came like 9 months after the feature was introduced.

    Plus the interface is getting very old and is need of a major redesign.

    If Apple releases iMessage for Android as is rumored, the whatsapp team should be worried.

    1. Re:They need to fix backup, and other things by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      having tried firefox lately I'd take the results of one guy in his parents' basement any day. At least there'd be some hope.

    2. Re:They need to fix backup, and other things by stephanruby · · Score: 1

      3D touch? What is that?

    3. Re:They need to fix backup, and other things by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wanking with a VR headset on.

    4. Re:They need to fix backup, and other things by thegarbz · · Score: 3, Interesting

      For example, currently there's no way to migrate your chat history between iphone and android without paying $25 for a third party app (that doesn't always work).

      Plus the interface is getting very old and is need of a major redesign.

      What is this? Demand for change for changes sake and features that no one except for maybe 5 people world wide would use?

    5. Re:They need to fix backup, and other things by khchung · · Score: 2

      3D touch? What is that?

      Pressing harder on the screen for extra functions, kind of like using right-click with a mouse.

      For example, instead of simply touching a message notification to open the Whatsapp app to reply, you press harder on the notification and you can reply in-situ from the lock screen. Or pressing harder on the Whatsapp app icon to bring up a menu with some frequently used actions.

      --
      Oliver.
    6. Re:They need to fix backup, and other things by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The interface redesign sounds a bit silly indeed but a good (and portable) export and import function could be useful IMO

    7. Re:They need to fix backup, and other things by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Whatsapp may be the greatest thing since sliced bread but they sell your metadata for profit. No thanks, do not want.

  7. Video Calling is so MEH..and I do that for a livin by Danathar · · Score: 2

    The plethora of WebRTC and mobile video calling clients really does not make this a very interesting feature. IOS and Android users have SO many different options for video calling that it's not really that interesting. From an engineer's perspective I am interested in the various strengths and weaknesses in terms of video codecs, forward error correction, etc. A nice matrix outlining the various technical approaches would be nice. Also....what would ALSO be nice is a re-commitment from these closed walled off gardens would be XMPP and/or SIP compatibility (native and not an add-on cost option).

  8. Re:Video Calling is so MEH..and I do that for a li by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's probably already some open platform that's been packaged up by WhatsApp. If it was Apple, they'd call it 'courageous', others say 'innovative', but it's just going to be another case of dropping an open-source module in and adding a bit of UI to convince the shareholders/investors that you're worth billions.

  9. So in other words by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 1

    So in other words, Skype. Or WeChat. Or any of a dozen other near-identical video chat programs.

    I feel dizzy from so much innovation.

    They used to say that every program expanded and added features until it could send email, now it looks like "video chat" is the new benchmark. How long will it be before the "FlashLight Extreme" app on my phone can initiate video calls?

    --
    Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
    1. Re:So in other words by unixisc · · Score: 1

      Does WeChat require a phone number?

    2. Re:So in other words by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 1

      Does WeChat require a phone number?

      I have no idea. Does Skype? (My Skype account doesn't have a phone number attached, so I'd say the answer is "no". )

      --
      Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
  10. Tablet phone numbers by unixisc · · Score: 1

    My iPad that I got from Verizon also has a cellular connection w/ its own mobile number. Point is that I can't use that number to associate any of the apps w/ my iPad: I have to use my iPhone number. If they are providing a phone# for my tablets, why can't I use those numbers for things like iMessage, WhatsApp, FaceTime and other apps that need phone numbers?

    Not that this is a uniquely iOS issue. I have a Moto X and a Verizon Ellipsis 10. The Ellipsis doesn't work w/ its own dedicated number: I'd have to associate Message+ and other things w/ the number of my phone!!! This is demented. They can disallow cellular calls on the tablets if they want, but why disallow associating the tablet numbers w/ apps that require phone# in order to operate as designed?

    1. Re:Tablet phone numbers by farble1670 · · Score: 1

      If they are providing a phone# for my tablets, why can't I use those numbers for things like iMessage, WhatsApp, FaceTime and other apps that need phone numbers?

      Because you aren't paying for it? A data-only SIM is cheaper (or if it's not, ask yourself why you have one?).

    2. Re:Tablet phone numbers by unixisc · · Score: 1

      Who says the SIM has to have voice? I'm talking about applications that can, or do use only data - like the ones I listed above: I don't expect to make or receive cellular phone calls on my iPad or Ellipsis. Speaking of which, I wonder how that model will work when the industry goes 5G and you'll have only data, and voice will only be VOIP packets?

    3. Re:Tablet phone numbers by farble1670 · · Score: 1

      Who says the SIM has to have voice?

      I give up. Who?

      If they are providing a phone# for my tablets, why can't I use those numbers for things like iMessage, WhatsApp, FaceTime and other apps that need phone numbers?

      Because the phone number must be verified. Apps will do things like send an SMS to your device on that number to verify. You can't receive SMS on a data SIM so the fails.

    4. Re:Tablet phone numbers by unixisc · · Score: 1

      But the tablets have SMS apps on them, and they have phone numbers associated w/ their cellular connection. Granted it's data only. But since they have the phone numbers, and they have the SMS apps, why not use the one w/ the other, instead of just replicating another device?

    5. Re:Tablet phone numbers by farble1670 · · Score: 1

      But the tablets have SMS apps on them

      Are you suggesting since your tablet is capable of SMS, the provider, that has nothing to do with the software on your tablet, should allow you to use voice services for which you have not paid? I don't get it, are you unfamiliar with the concept of paying more for additional services? They don't let you do it because they want you to pay more for that.

      Why can't I get unlimited data on my account? My phone has apps that can use the data. Why can't my cable company give me all of the premium channels for free? My TV can display them and my cable box can receive them. Why doesn't Netflix give me access to 4K content w/ my standard account? My TV can render 4K.

      instead of just replicating another device

      You don't have to replicate anything you just have to use a voice / SMS capable SIM in your tablet.

  11. Meanwhile, at Google ... by farble1670 · · Score: 1

    ... they are rolling back video (and audio) calls and SMS by replacing Hangouts with the sub-featured Allo messaging app.

  12. WhatsIt? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I've never heard of WhatsApp or seen it. Must be another Chinese thing that no one outside of China uses.