Social media application, WhatsApp, on November 14, 2016, announced its next step in efforts to connect people – WhatsApp video calling.
Via the application’s site, it stated “today we’re excited to announce the next step in our efforts to connect people – WhatsApp video calling.
“In the coming days, WhatsApp’s more than one billion users, can make video calls across Android, iPhone, and Windows Phone devices”.
The application which started as an alternative to SMS, “now supports sending and receiving a variety of media: text, photos, videos, documents, and location, as well as voice calls,” the group said.
WhatsApp was founded by Jan Koum and Brian Acton who had previously spent 20 years combined at Yahoo.
In 2014, it joined Facebook, but has continued to operate as a separate app, with a laser focus on building a messaging service that works fast and reliably anywhere in the world.
“Our goal at WhatsApp has always been to help as many people as possible stay in touch with friends, family, and others they care about. That means making a product that’s simple, easy to use, and accessible no matter where you are.
“We started with messaging and Group Chat. Then we added voice calling. And we did it in a way that works across thousands of device and platform combinations all over the world.”
Stating reasons for the latest development, the group explained: “We’re introducing this feature because we know that sometimes voice and text just aren’t enough.
“There’s no substitute for watching your grandchild take her first steps, or seeing your daughter’s face while she’s studying abroad. And we want to make these features available to everyone, not just those who can afford the most expensive new phones or live in countries with the best cellular networks.
“Over the years we’ve received many requests from our users for video calling, and we’re excited to finally offer this feature to the world.
They expressed appreciation to users of the app, while promising to “keep working hard every day to improve the service”.