After launching a separate app for businesses and incorporating UPI payments in the native app,
WhatsApp is reportedly testing a bevy of new features for Android through its
beta program. Users can access them by downloading the specific beta version of
WhatsApp.
Allows
group calls and video chats
One of the limitations in group chats on WhatsApp is
that it doesn’t support voice and video calls between more than two people at a
time. That may change soon as WhatsApp is trying out a new group calling
feature. First seen in beta version 2.18.39 by a tech portal Wabetainfo, the
feature adds the call and video button next to contact names in the groups.
Users can add multiple people to initiate a group call. We don’t know how many
people can be added in a group call.
Tell
more about a group
First seen in beta version 2.18.54 by Wabetainfo,
WhatsApp will soon have an “about us” section for groups, where any member can
add a description about the group. The description can be seen by all the
members at the top of the group info section. The option to edit the
description will be available to all, but the group administrator can restrict
others from modifying them.
Switching
from voice to video calls with one tap
WhatsApp is working on a switch button in voice
calls. It will allow users to switch from voice to video calls without
disconnecting the ongoing call. Tapping on the switch button will send an
invite to the person at the other end of the call to switch to video call. If
the person accepts the invite, the voice call will get converted into video
call. The feature was first noticed in beta version 2.18. 4.
