New feature on WhatsApp
We’ve all been in situations where you arrange a group call with friends or coworkers and half of the participants forget, arrive late, or are unaware that the call has begun. WhatsApp is working to address that. To make calls more organized and enjoyable, the app has introduced call scheduling and replies.
WhatsApp offers call scheduling.
With the addition of a scheduling capability, WhatsApp is finally catching up to Google Meet and Zoom. Rather than reminding people in chat groups, you can now:
The parent company of WhatsApp, Meta, has a history of stealing well-liked features from competitors. For instance, Instagram acquired Maps and Reposts from X and Snapchat. WhatsApp is now drawing influence from Zoom and Google Meet for call scheduling and replies.
With more than 3 billion users globally, WhatsApp is evolving into a useful tool for community calls, business meetings, and family get-togethers.
- Set up a call for a particular time and date.
- Invite people one-on-one or in groups.
- Receive alerts when the call is ready to start.
- Both individual and group calls can use the functionality, and calls are always end-to-end encrypted.
Your location for confidential, encrypted conversations with loved ones
“Online” indicator in group chats: You can now view the number of users who are “Online” in real-time, directly beneath the group name, to help you determine whether people are available to speak.
Emphasise alerts in groups: Do you need a simple method to rank the notifications for your group chats? To limit alerts for @mentions, responses, and messages from saved contacts, use the new “Notify for” setting and choose “Highlights”. Alternatively, choose “All” to receive all notifications.
Improved controls will also be available to call link designers, who will now be alerted when a caller joins a call via the link, simplifying real-time attendance tracking. WhatsApp highlighted that, like with other personal interactions on the platform, these calls remain safeguarded by end-to-end encryption, meaning no one outside the discussion can access their content. According to the firm, its global user base would find group calls “more entertaining and productive” after the update.
