WhatsApp finally launches video-calling feature for everyone

Though a little late but WhatsApp is finally launching video-calling on its platform. After rolling out the feature to selected users via the WhatsApp beta app on Android and Windows last month, Facebook-owned WhatsApp has now officially launched the much-awaited feature for its over 1 billion users worldwide on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.

WhatsApp users just need to tap on the call button in the top right corner of a conversation, which will bring up a message box with two options: voice call or video call. Simply select the “video call” option from the mobile screen and start your conversation.

Moreover, just like the WhatsApp messages and voice calls, video calls will also be fully encrypted end-to-end.

You also have the option to switch between the forward-facing and rear camera, mute the call or press the red button to hang up. According to TechCrunch, the user interface varies slightly on "Android and iPhone in terms of where the picture-in-picture video feed is displayed, as well as the buttons’ size, lineup, and placement."

Though it's better late than never, it took WhatsApp seven years to launch the video calling feature. But given its humongous user base, WhatsApp surely has an edge over its rivals that includes Facebook’s own Messenger app, as well as Skype, Apple’s FaceTime, Viber, LINE and Google’s recently launched Duo, to name just a few.

“…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,” the company said in a statement.

To those, who didn't get the hint, the company was pointing at FaceTime, which only works on Apple devices and Google Duo, which only runs on latest versions of iOS and Android.

The roll-out will be completed in phases to reach the entire WhatsApp user base.