New WhatsApp Calling Features: Meta Introduces Screen Sharing, Speaker Spotlight, and More

WhatsApp, a leading instant messaging application, frequently introduces new features, typically after extensive testing in its beta version across various platforms. In its latest blog post, WhatsApp announced the rollout of three significant enhancements to improve the calling experience.

These updates, expected to roll out in the upcoming weeks, focus on screen sharing, participant limits, and speaker spotlight.

Screen Sharing with Audio

One of the most anticipated features is screen sharing with audio. This enhancement is particularly useful for users who want to watch videos together during a video chat session.

When a participant activates the screen share feature, the audio from their device will also be shared, facilitating collaborative video-watching for a variety of purposes. This feature is designed to enhance the overall experience of virtual interactions by making it more immersive and engaging.

Increased Participant Limits

Another major update is the increased participant limit for video calls. WhatsApp will now support up to 32 people in a video chat across all platforms. This improvement is significant for both personal and professional use, as it allows larger groups to connect seamlessly.

Whether it's a family gathering, a virtual event, or a business meeting, this expanded capacity ensures that more participants can join and communicate effectively.

Speaker Spotlight

The third key enhancement is the speaker spotlight feature. This update makes it easier for users to identify who is speaking during a call. WhatsApp explained that the speaker will be automatically highlighted and appear first on the screen.

This feature aims to improve the flow of conversation by visually indicating the active speaker, thus reducing confusion and enhancing communication clarity.

MLow Codec for Improved Call Quality

In addition to these three major updates, WhatsApp has introduced the MLow codec to enhance call reliability. This codec improves noise and echo cancellation on mobile devices, ensuring better audio output in noisy environments.

Additionally, it provides higher resolution for calls over faster connections. WhatsApp noted that the audio quality will be crisper overall, even for users with poor network connectivity or older devices. This update underscores WhatsApp's commitment to delivering high-quality communication experiences.

Availability Across Platforms

These new features will be available on Android, iOS, and Desktop apps. To access these enhancements, users need to ensure their WhatsApp version is updated. For desktop users, the update can be obtained from the Microsoft Store.

Mobile users can update the app through the Google Play Store for Android devices or the Apple App Store for iPhones. Regular updates from these app stores will ensure that users can enjoy the latest features and improvements.

Conclusion

WhatsApp's latest updates are set to significantly enhance the user experience with new calling features. Screen sharing with audio, increased participant limits, and the speaker spotlight are poised to make video calls more interactive and efficient.

Additionally, the MLow codec will improve call quality, making communication clearer and more reliable. Users are encouraged to update their apps to take full advantage of these exciting new features.