WhatsApp on Thursday announced several feature improvements related to video calling for mobile and desktop users. The participant limit for group video calls has been expanded across platforms, allowing up to 32 members to join the same call, up from the previous limit of only eight participants allowed on the WhatsApp Desktop app. In addition to expanding the video calling feature, users can also share their audio when sharing their screen with other participants.
WhatsApp improves video calling in mobile and desktop applications
In a blog post, the Meta-owned instant messaging platform explained that the latest update will bring improvements to the app’s screen sharing. When watching a video with other participants while sharing their screen, the user will also be able to share the audio playback, according to the company.
WhatsApp has also revealed an increase in the number of participants that can join video calls. While up to 32 mobile users could join calls, the number was previously limited to eight for desktop app users. It is now uniform across all devices and up to 32 participants can be part of a video, call, regardless of which platform the user joins from.
A new ‘speaker spotlight’ feature will also be introduced, which will highlight the current speaker in a video call. In theory, it could prove useful when attending video calls in large groups, allowing users to easily identify the speaker without having to go through the participant list.
WhatsApp says the new series of features will be available to users on mobile and desktop platforms in the coming weeks.
WhatsApp’s new codec for audio calls
In addition to video calling features, Meta Platforms has also introduced a new tool that aims to improve call quality. The feature – known as the Meta Low Bitrate (MLow) codec – helps compress recorded audio/video for efficient transmission over the Internet, according to Meta.
Although compression often comes at the cost of quality, Meta says the MLow codec is an upgrade from the previous open source Opus codec and can improve audio quality, especially on slow connections. This codec was already available on other Meta platforms such as Instagram and Messenger, and is now being rolled out to WhatsApp.
