WhatsApp Rolling Out Free Encrypted Video Calling

After months of beta testing, Facebook-owned social messenger app WhatsApp on Tuesday rolled out the much-awaited video calling feature, according to a new report from CNET. It is interesting to note that the video calling feature is being made available in India first, then to the rest of the world.

“We’re introducing this feature because we know that sometimes voice and text just aren’t enough,” WhatsApp said in a blog post late Monday. “And we want to make these features available to everyone, not just those who can afford the most expensive new phones or live in countries with the best cellular networks.”

The platform has been a medium of chatting, sharing photos, files and more. However, the only thing missing was the ability to make video calls.

“Video calling is one of the most requested features from people in India. We’re proud to have the opportunity to launch this feature in India, where we now have 160 million users, and we look forward to seeing people use WhatsApp to talk to their friends and loved ones face to face,” Jan Koum, CEO and co-founder of WhatsApp, said in a statement.

To place a video call, users only have to open a chat, click the phone icon, choose the video call option in the menu and start talking.

Considering India’s slow internet connectivity issue, WhatsApp’s video calling app has been calibrated to use low-resolution video streaming to consume less data during slow connection and automatically switch to HD quality when the phone detects Wi-Fi or a 4G network with high-internet speed.

The new video calling feature is rolling out on Android, iOS and Windows 10 Mobile. Let us know when you see it!