WhatsApp is set out to rival zoom in video conferencing as the pandemic heightens across the globe. Users will soon have up to 50 participants on a single video call. The new feature is dubbed messenger Rooms and is set to work across Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Facebook gaming, and portal Facebook.
The new option is still in a beta version as spotted by WABetaInfo and is likely to be released soon. The feature will be available for Web and desktop clients for both iOS and Android. The company is reportedly working on the feature to ensure the best bug-free experience for users.
Weeks ago, WhatsApp received a major upgrade to its video call feature. The update allowed users to initiate a WhatsApp video for up to eight participants instead of four. The new upgrade if implemented will set WhatsApp top bar with the advantage of its over two billion active users.
Facebook is yet to reveal when the feature will roll out. Currently, there is a high appetite for video calls at this time, and WhatsApp will be at its best if it rolls it out to the public now.
Messenger rooms will directly compete with Google Duo which boosts 12-persons limit, Apples’s facetime supports up to 32 participants, House party eight-participants, Skype, and Facebook’S Messenger Rooms support 50 and zoom’s free tier supports 100 participants.
WhatsApp is also working to add Messenger Rooms shortcuts on version 2.2019.6 Web update. The shortcuts will appear in the actions list in the chat as in the picture below once rolled out.
Another shortcut will be available in the main menu on the desktop version.
There will also be a shortcut in the WhatsApp menu that redirects people to Facebook Messenger Rooms, where they can then create a virtual meeting room within the Facebook service and then invite people to join.
Users can as well connect directly within the WhatsApp Web app. And Facebook Messenger Rooms will allow for the virtual background of participants to be added in the rooms.