WhatsApp enhances calls with 32-person video support and new features
Search our blog for articles and insights right here, just type your interest and dive into a world of knowledge.
Popular articles
WhatsApp Enhances Video Calling Experience with New Features and Expanded Participant Limits
WhatsApp has introduced several enhancements to its video calling feature, significantly improving user experience across devices. The latest updates include screen sharing with audio support, a new speaker spotlight feature, and an increase in the number of participants on a video call to 32 people.
Screen Sharing with Audio
One of the most notable updates is the addition of audio support to screen sharing. This enhancement allows users to share their screens while also transmitting audio, enabling activities such as watching videos together during a WhatsApp call. This feature elevates the collaborative and interactive capabilities of the app, making it more versatile for both personal and professional use.
Expanded Participant Limit
WhatsApp has also expanded the number of participants allowed on a single video call to 32 people, across all devices. Prior to this update, the limit was different for each platform: 32 participants on mobile devices, 16 on Windows, and 8 on macOS. This change brings WhatsApp in line with Apple's FaceTime, which also supports up to 32 participants. However, it still lags behind Google Meet and Zoom, which offer even higher participant capacities.
Speaker Spotlight Feature
Another enhancement is the introduction of the "Speaker Spotlight" feature. This automatically highlights the person who is speaking during a video call, positioning them prominently on the screen. This feature aims to make conversations more engaging and ensure that the focus is on the active speaker, improving the overall video call experience.
Improved Call Reliability with MLow Codec
As part of the update, WhatsApp has integrated the Meta Low Bitrate (MLow) codec to enhance call reliability, even on poor network connections or older devices. The MLow codec promises to deliver double the audio quality compared to the previously used Opus codec, while also reducing computational complexity by 10%. MLow is already in use for Instagram and Messenger calls and will now extend to WhatsApp, offering a more robust and consistent audio quality across Meta's communication platforms.
Rollout of New Features
WhatsApp has announced that it will implement these updates, including the MLow codec, to all eligible users over the forthcoming weeks. The enhancements are part of WhatsApp's ongoing effort to improve the video calling functionality and reliability of its platform, ensuring users have a seamless and enriched communication experience.
