WhatsApp announces new video calling features

Meta-owned WhatsApp has announced several new updates to enhance the video calling experience for its users across desktop and mobile devices. The new features include a speaker spotlight, screen sharing with audio, more participants, and a new MLow codec to improve call reliability. Here are the details.

Speaker spotlight

The Speaker spotlight feature allows other participants to see who is speaking by automatically highlighting them and showing them first on the screen.

Screen sharing with audio

WhatsApp has also improved its screen sharing feature. Users on the WhatsApp video call can now share their screen along with the audio. Users will be able to watch videos with other participants on a video call during a WhatsApp call.

More participants

WhatsApp has also increased the video call participant limit to up to 32 people across devices, including iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows. Earlier, WhatsApp mobile users could add up to 32 participants, while Windows and macOS could add up to 16 and 8 participants.

MLow codec

The company has launched a new Meta Low Bitrate (MLow) codec to improve call reliability, especially for users with low-end devices or poor networks. According to the company, the new codec will provide improved noise and echo cancellation, while users on the faster network will experience high-resolution video calls.

Availability

These new updates will start to roll out over the next few weeks. WhatsApp says, “We’ll continue making improvements to calling on WhatsApp so you can make the best quality, private calls wherever you are in the world.”