It seems that Facebook-owned WhatsApp is all set to bring group calling feature to the app. The latest feature is spotted on beta version of the iPhone app.

| Updated: Oct 23, 2017, 02.27PM IST
As per earlier reports, the messaging app was said to be working on a group calling feature which was expected to be rolled out next year.
As per earlier reports, the messaging app was said to be working on a group calling feature which was expected... Read More


NEW DELHI: It seems that Facebook-owned WhatsApp is all set to bring group calling feature to the app. The latest feature is spotted on beta version of the iPhone app.

As per WaBetaInfo (@wabetainfo), a Twitter account that tracks changes in WhatsApp's beta builds, confirmed that the feature is available. WaBetaInfo (@wabetainfo) tweeted, 'The 2.17.70 iOS update has very hidden references to group calls! Before it was an internal news, now it's all confirmed. There are a lot of hidden references about group voice calls, but there is only one reference about group video calls. So, group video calls are partially confirmed at the moment."



As per earlier reports, the messaging app was said to be working on a group calling feature which was expected to be rolled out next year. Facebook Messenger app already has a similar feature.



Last week, WhatsApp rolled out its live location sharing feature for Android and iOS. This feature, as the name suggests, shares the location of the user and lets the other party track them in real time. It is worth noting that WhatsApp already has a 'Current Location' sharing feature but that is a one-time feature and others are not able to track the location of the sender as they move.



The Live Location sharing feature can be used in individual chats or in groups. While sharing the location other users in the group will be able to see the rest of the members below the map who have shared their live locations. Multiple users can share their locations at once.


6 new features coming to WhatsApp soon

6 new features coming to WhatsApp soon

WhatsApp, the instant messaging application, has over a billion users and to keep them around, the app is always adding new features. However, before rolling them out to all its users at once, it tests them with limited users under beta mode. While there are several features under tests in beta mode, here are the six features spotted in beta that are most likely to be introduced in the app in the next few days:

YouTube videos to play right into WhatsApp

The most recent feature found on WhatsApp for iOS beta version is YouTube integration. The feature lets you view YouTube videos without leaving the app via a picture-in-picture mode.

UPI-based money transactions

UPI or Unified Payment Interface is another feature that could reach millions of WhatsApp users in India. The feature will let them transfer money without any hassle. The company for now is in talks with the government about UPI integration.

Message recall feature

This feature was first spotted in December 2016 in a beta version on iOS. However, the feature is yet to see the light of the day. This will let users pull back messages that have been already sent.

Live-location sharing

Live location sharing is another feature that was spotted earlier this year on WhatsApp for iOS beta version but has not been rolled out to the masses yet. The feature could let users share live location for 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes or indefinitely.

Number change intimation to all your contacts

Earlier this year, it was reported that WhatsApp beta for Windows Phone came with a nifty feature that sends a notification to all the WhatsApp contacts when a user changes his/her number, making the whole process less cumbersome. We are yet to see a widespread rollout of the feature.

Edit 'sent' messages

This feature to will be similar to the ‘recall’ functionality said to be coming to WhatsApp soon. However, this will go a step further and allow users to edit specific parts of a message 'sent' instead of recalling the entire text. This feature was spotted in one of the WhatsApp betas back in January this year.




WhatsApp 'Live Location' is the second major feature coming from the instant messaging firm this month after WhatsApp Business app. The new app aims to make it easier for enterprises to communicate with its customers. It also comes with some extra features as compared to the regular WhatsApp app.




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