Meta improves video calls in WhatsApp: up to 32 people, video sharing, and support for MLow codec

WhatsApp is expanding its video calling capabilities with new features to compete with Zoom, FaceTime and Google Meet. The Meta-owned platform now includes screen sharing, a higher participant limit, and a speaker highlighting feature.

Here's What We Know

Screen sharing is useful for sharing videos, sharing content that is difficult to share, or troubleshooting devices. It also supports audio sharing, allowing users to chat while looking at someone else's screen.

WhatsApp has also increased the video call participant limit to 32 people across all platforms, a significant jump from the previous eight-person limit that was introduced during the 2020 quarantine restrictions.

The Speaker Highlight feature, which is common on other platforms, highlights the person speaking in a group call by placing their image first in the row of participants, making it easier to identify the current speaker.

In addition, WhatsApp has switched to the MLow codec for clearer calls, improved noise cancellation and echo cancellation. Video calls will also stream in higher resolution if supported by your network.

Source: Engadget