Big update for WhatsApp: screen sharing with audio and video calls to 32 people

The instant messaging service is stepping up its game to better compete with FaceTime, Google Meet and Zoom.

Meta announces the arrival of a WhatsApp update to notably improve video and audio calls. On the menu, screen sharing with audio support, a new function to highlight the interlocutor and the limit of participants in video calls increased to 32 people.

Introduced last summer, screen sharing during video calls is enhanced with an audio function. Thus, it will be possible to watch a video with several people during a group WhatsApp call. Another important development is the possibility of bringing together up to 32 people during a video call, regardless of the terminal used.

WhatsApp catches up with FaceTime

Until now, 32-person conversations could only be done if all participants were using a mobile device. Video calls on Windows were limited to 16 people and those on macOS to 8. Apple’s FaceTime can bring together up to 32 people, while the free versions of Google Meet and Zoom go up to 100 participants.

For better understanding during these group discussions, the “Speaker Spotlight” function will highlight the person speaking. Again, this is a function already offered by services competing with WhatsApp.

A new codec to improve the clarity of WhatsApp calls

Meta also communicates the introduction of the new MLow audio codec which is supposed to improve call clarity, especially in noisy environments thanks to better noise and echo reduction. “The sound is cleaner overall, even if you have poor network connectivity or are using an older device,” assures the company.

Finally, WhatsApp promises that video calls with a high-performance connection will benefit from better resolution, without giving more details. The announced developments will be introduced “over the coming weeks”.

Source : WhatsApp