Just a few weeks ago, WhatsApp began to roll out its messaging app's calling feature to Android users. This time around, the same feature is being rolled out to users of iOS. The latest version of the app which is now available for download on the Apple App store reveals that it now includes support for voice.
WhatsApp voice calling allows the user to place calls through the Internet within the Messenger app. This way, the user's cellular data is used as opposed to using the phone network's calling charges. The Facebook-owned company now has 800 million monthly active users on its Messaging service. It is possible that the new voice calling feature would upset a number of carriers worldwide who first saw their SMS revenues on a decline with the increasing popularity of free messaging apps. In the case of WhatsApp, the company says that its messaging app handles more messages from its users which is higher compared to the global SMS that are sent each day. However, there's no information yet on just how many of those messages came from iOS users.
"Call your friends and family using WhatsApp for free, even if they're in another country. WhatsApp calls use your phone's Internet connection rather than your cellular plan's voice minutes. Data charges may apply," says WhatsApp in iTunes.
Dubbed WhatsApp Version 2.12.1, the latest features of the app also include iOS 8 sharing extension which allows users to share their apps' images, videos, and links to WhatsApp, capturing photos and videos using the quick camera button within chats, choosing a recent camera roll photo or video, editing of contacts directly from WhatsApp, sending multiple videos and cropping and rotating videos prior to sending.
While the update says that it is already available for download, iOS users may have to wait for the full roll out of the app's highly requested voice calling feature. Not everyone is getting the feature in the same period as it will be released in phases.
"WhatsApp Calling is rolling out slowly over the next several weeks."
The launch of the app's calling features to iOS is the company's latest among its steady stream of updates as a way to make WhatsApp even more functional than ever. Another achievement was the launching in January of a desktop web version which allows users to keep in touch even when their handset is not within reach.
