WhatsApp offers its users end-to-end encrypted calls for free. The company is enhancing the user experience for both voice and video calls by introducing a few new features, such as the mute button in incoming voice call notifications. These features are currently available to some beta testers and should roll out to more users in the coming weeks.
New WhatsApp beta update adds new call features for Android users
Folks over at Wabetainfo have discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out three new features for voice and video calls with the latest beta for Android (version 2.25.10.16). These features include a mute button in the notification panel, the ability to disable video before accepting an incoming video call, and emoji reactions in video calls. The publication says that beta versions 2.25.10.9 and 2.25.10.14 also allow some users to experience these new features.
Speaking of the first feature, the mute button shows up in the notification panel when receiving an incoming voice call, allowing users to pick up the call and mute it simultaneously. This is a handy feature for those who want to accept a call but donโt want to join in the conversation right away. WhatsApp aims to give them the flexibility to accept calls without being heard, a handy feature when in meetings or noisy environments.
The second feature aims to provide an extra layer of privacy, allowing users to disable video before accepting an incoming video call. Earlier, users could not disable the camera until after answering, which could have been uncomfortable during unknown video calls. The new feature lets users decide whether to join the call with the camera on.
The third and final new feature allows users to react in real time with emojis without interrupting the conversation. This is useful for group video calls as you can send different emojis โ a thumbs up for agreement and a laugh for a joke. Since we are talking about the beta version, users with the stable WhatsApp version will have to wait a few weeks to get these new calling tools.
