Popular instant messaging app WhatsApp has added voice calls
to iOS app, which could spell the end for anyone needing a lot of
minutes on their phone tariff.
The WhatApp Calling feature appeared on Android handsets
late last month. It compares to FaceTime Audio and Skype on iOS and data
charges are likely to apply if using the service on mobile data.
Otherwise it means free calls for any user on the service.
“Call
your friends and family using WhatsApp for free, even if they’re in
another country. WhatsApp calls uses your phone’s Internet connection
rather than your cellular plan’s voice minutes,”according to the blurb
in the app update on the iTunes Store.
The
feature is rolling out gradually this month so not every iOS user may
see the new feature within the app. Until it appeared on Android,
WhatsApp Calling was in a lengthy beta.
Quick camera time
Version
2.12.1 has added other features such as a quick camera button in chat
messages so users can pull in videos and pictures from the Camera Roll.
Users can also send multiple videos at once as well as being able to
crop and rotate said videos.
There is also an iOS 8 share extension allows users to share photos, videos and links on WhatsApp from other apps.
As reported by T3 earlier in the week, the app now has around 800 million active users per month and could exceed one billion by the end of the year.
