Messenger: WhatsApp optimizes calls and increases video quality 19 comments
Image: WhatsApp
WhatsApp is introducing a number of new features for messaging on desktops and mobile devices such as smartphones, which mainly relate to calls with only audio and video. Group calls can now be better managed, new effects can be used and video calls can be made with better quality.
Pre-select participants for group calls
In group chats, when a group phone call was initiated, all participants in the group were called at the same time. With the current update, some participants can be selected in advance. This means that only the people you want to call are called, without disturbing others.
New Calls tab for desktop app
Changes to group chats affect WhatsApp on smartphones and desktops. The developers have revised the Calls tab especially for the desktop application, where you can now find all the functions you need to start a call, create a call link or directly dial a number.
Video call effects
There are ten video call effects to choose from to make video calls more entertaining. For example, callers can put on animated puppy ears, hold a karaoke microphone in front of their mouth, or be transported to an underwater scenario for the video call.
Better quality video calls
Video call quality has also been improved on both platforms: desktop and mobile devices. WhatsApp talks about “more reliable and stable” calls. A higher resolution should provide a clearer picture for individual calls and group calls, but WhatsApp does not provide any details on resolution or data rate. Regarding audio, it is known that WhatsApp has been using its own MLow (Meta Low Bitrate) codec since June this year, which is intended to achieve higher quality than Opus in general, but especially at low bitrates data like just 6 or 14 kbit/s, for example due to poor cell phone reception.
Sarah tracks innovations in smartphones, evaluating their performance, design, and key features.
