WhatsApp Messenger for iOS Gains Voice Calling Capabilities

Tuesday April 21, 2015 1:20 PM PDT by Juli Clover
whatsapp.pngAfter promising to deliver voice calling capabilities back in 2014, WhatsApp has finally delivered, introducing voice over IP features in its latest update. With the new version of the app, it's possible for WhatsApp users to call friends and family directly within the app using a Wi-Fi or cellular connection at no cost.

The introduction of voice calling to the Facebook-owned WhatsApp app puts it on par with Facebook's other messaging app, Facebook Messenger, which gained voice calling back in 2013. It also allows the app to better compete with other iOS-based VoIP calling options like Skype and FaceTime Audio.

Today's WhatsApp update also brings a few other features, including the iOS 8 share extension for sharing videos, photos, and links to WhatsApp from other apps, contact editing tools, and the ability to send multiple videos at one time.
What's new
-WhatsApp Calling: Call your friends and family using WhatsApp for free, even if they're in another country. WhatsApp calls use your phone's Internet connection rather than your cellular plan's voice minutes. Data charges may apply. Note: WhatsApp Calling is rolling out slowly over the next several weeks.

-iOS 8 share extension: Share photos, videos, and links right to WhatsApp from other apps.

-Quick camera button in chats: Now you can capture photos and videos, or quickly choose a recent camera roll photo or video.

-Edit your contacts right from WhatsApp.

-Send multiple videos at once and crop and rotate videos before sending them.
WhatsApp can be downloaded from the App Store for free. The new WhatsApp calling feature will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks. [Direct Link]

Tags: Facebook, WhatsApp
56 comments


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Simplicated
50 months ago
Can we realistically expect an update that includes an Apple Watch app by 2020?
Rating: 10 Votes
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bushido
50 months ago
at last! now all we need is a dedicated mac app so i can rid of viber for good
Rating: 7 Votes
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coolfactor
50 months ago

at last! now all we need is a dedicated mac app so i can rid of viber for good


I share this sentiment. Viber has great potential, but for some bizarre reason, they've chosen to be an ugly stepchild of an app. Not quite fully native, but close enough that most users won't complain or even notice. I've been very vocal to them about their non-standard Mac app.

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Apps like this and Facetime audio, Hangouts, etc. must *really* get the carriers mad.


Over the next 5 years, carriers are going to become glorified internet service providers.
Rating: 5 Votes
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poppy10
50 months ago

Has this been released on Android as well, in order to make cross-platform calls?


Android already had it weeks ago. It's been frustrating trying to WA call people with iPhone only to get the message "this person needs to update their version of Whatsapp in order to receive calls"

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You should check out Telegram - it's got everything WhatsApp has...

... except the users. A messaging app is useless if none of your contacts are using it
Rating: 5 Votes
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LordQ
50 months ago
Great, now my friends will have yet another excuse to not use iMessage nor FaceTime audio.
Rating: 4 Votes
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vjl323
50 months ago

I share this sentiment. Viber has great potential, but for some bizarre reason, they've chosen to be an ugly stepchild of an app. Not quite fully native, but close enough that most users won't complain or even notice. I've been very vocal to them about their non-standard Mac app.


You should check out Telegram - it's got everything WhatsApp has [though now it is missing VOIP, but I think that's on their roadmap], and it is 100% free, not owned by FB, and open source [plus it has a nice Mac app, iPad app, and other major desktop/mobile OS platforms]. I use it as a mini-dropbox like service [you can send up to 1GB files to others as well as longer than 90 second videos and audio voicememos].

And it has the world's funkiest stickers [the only drawback thus far, but i don't use stickers often enough to care]. Viber's interface...wow...yeah...heh. They seem to like that ugly UI! :)

Telegram: http://telegram.org

Just FYI! [not a dev - just a happy user]
Rating: 4 Votes
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enthusiastic
50 months ago

Can we realistically expect an update that includes an Apple Watch app by 2020?


What's the hurry?





/s
Rating: 3 Votes
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KALLT
50 months ago
Great, they finally added an option to suppress the read receipts, a feature Android users have for months now. WhatsApp is the only developer I am aware of that shows such disregard for iOS. Even the BlackBerry 10 app is updated regularly. It annoys me to no end that WhatsApp is practically the only app that most of your contacts will have, despite the fact that it isn’t the best app you can get, neither in terms of features, not security. It’s so cyclical. :(
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
zorinlynx
50 months ago

You should check out Telegram - it's got everything WhatsApp has [though now it is missing VOIP, but I think that's on their roadmap], and it is 100% free, not owned by FB, and open source [plus it has a nice Mac app, iPad app, and other major desktop/mobile OS platforms]. I use it as a mini-dropbox like service [you can send up to 1GB files to others as well as longer than 90 second videos and audio voicememos].


I have to second this recommendation. Telegram seems to have solved most of the issues I've seen in other cross-platform apps. One feature I really love is that conversations REALLY STAY IN SYNC. If you log into Telegram on your computer or tablet, you will see *exactly* the same view that you had on your phone, including the same conversation history.

The various clients work really well, and they don't use weird hacks like using your phone as a proxy for their desktop app. They also recently implemented two-factor authentication if you desire it.

It's a great app.
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
zorinlynx
50 months ago

I like Telegram and all, but unfortunately it has no users. No body knows about it.


This is precisely why I'm so quick to tell people about it when I can. More users == more people recommending it. Eventually it hits critical mass and everyone has it.
Rating: 3 Votes
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