New WhatsApp Features Bring Scheduled Calls and Interactive Tools, Making Group Calls More Like Professional Video Meetings

WhatsApp, a popular messaging app owned by Meta, started to roll out updates that bring its calling experience closer to professional video conference platforms. These improvements are intended to bridge the gap between casual calls and structured online sessions.

The upgrade includes three primary features. The first feature is scheduled calls, which allow users to plan calls ahead of time. They can invite people or groups, and people will be notified when the call is about to start. This makes it easier for teams, friends, and families to schedule calls without causing last-minute uncertainty.

The second update includes additional in-call interactivity capabilities. Participants in a WhatsApp call can now raise their hand to speak or reply with emojis. This allows that discussion runs smoothly without interrupting the speaker, making group calls more interactive and organised.

The third upgrade is a more effective call handling mechanism. The Calls page has been revamped to give users a more detailed view of upcoming calls. It now displays attendee lists, shareable call links, and delivers notifications to call creators when someone joins via a link.

Together, these upgrades make WhatsApp feel more like well-known applications like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet.  Until previously, WhatsApp was mostly used for individual and small group calls. However, with features such as scheduling, replies, and improved management, it's becoming a more useful tool for virtual meetings, online seminars, and professional talks. WhatsApp presently allows up to 32 participants in a video conversation, which is sufficient for most small group meetings.

In addition to these updates, WhatsApp is now testing a new AI Writing Help Assistant. This tool, which is now in testing for some Android users, can assist them improve their messages' language, tone, and structure. Importantly, communications will remain private and encrypted even with this functionality enabled.

These upgrades illustrate that WhatsApp is becoming more than just a chat application. By increasing capabilities for both personal and business use, it is becoming a more comprehensive communication platform in today's digital environment.

This article is based on information from Business Standard