Mark Zuckerberg added a call capacity teaser alongside the release of Call Links for WhatsApp.
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The new feature allows users to share links to initiate calls with a single tap on both audio and video calls, making it quicker and easier for people to stay in contact. Call Links will be rolled out this week. Users will need to download the latest version of WhatsApp and then access the feature via a banner at the top of the Calls tab. Mark Zuckerberg, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Meta Platforms, wrote on Facebook: “We are rolling out call links on WhatsApp starting this week so you can share a link to start a call with a single tap.
“We are also testing secure encrypted video calling for up to 32 people. More coming soon.”
Zuckerberg’s reference to “video calling for up to 32 people” appears to be an afterthought, but its release could be much more significant than Call Links. This is not the first time we have heard about it. The increased call capacity was first alluded to in April this year. WhatsApp said in a blog post at the time: “We're also making a number of improvements to how groups work on WhatsApp — whether or not they are part of a Community. “We think these will help people share in new ways and reduce overload in larger chats. “These features are rolling out in the coming weeks so people can start trying them out even before Communities are ready. “We’ll introduce one-tap voice calling for up to 32 people with all new design for those times when talking live is better than chatting.” WhatsApp’s current call capacity is limited to eight users, so it is a major step up. Of course, it doesn’t come close to the possible participant numbers on Teams, Zoom, and Google. Zoom, for example, can host up to 300 people on a call. The difference is these services all come with either paid subscriptions or time-limit restrictions. WhatsApp is free and unrestricted, and so far there is nothing to say they will introduce anything to change that. If this remains the case, then WhatsApp will be positioning itself as the obvious solution for large social interactions or small business discussions, particularly with its assurance of “secure” and “encrypted” video calling. Not only will the call capacity increase rob customers from Teams, Zoom, and Google. It will also help WhatsApp to rival direct competitors such as Telegram, Signal, iMessage, Viber, and more. Call Links is an excellent user-experience enhancement, but it will ultimately be the cherry on top of its call capacity increase, provided there are no surprises in the form of ads, restrictions or payments lurking around the corner.
